Youngest associate professor at Stellenbosch: Passion fuels Namibian academic’s success

Mesias Alfeus (35), a high-achieving Namibian mathematician who hails from Onamutai village in northern Namibia, has been promoted to associate professor at Stellenbosch University, making him one of the youngest to hold this position. Born in Onamutai village in the Ohangwena Region, Alfeus attended primary school in the same area before taking time off to care for his grandfather's livestock. Despite this time away, he remained determined to continue his education.After returning to school, he excelled, matriculating from Mweshipandeka High School, where he won the prestigious overall prize for the best pupil in higher-level mathematics.His academic journey took a significant turn when he received a scholarship from the Petro Fund to study engineering at the Polytechnic of Namibia, now the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).However, he felt that his mathematical interests were not fully satisfied in this field.His aspirations in mathematics were soon realised when he met Veston Malango, the chief executive officer of the Chamber of Mines, who helped him secure another scholarship from the Mineral Development Fund to study pure and applied mathematics.Overcoming hurdles with determination Alfeus told Namibian Sun that his achievement tells a story of perseverance and resilience despite setbacks. He described the trauma he felt after initially being rejected by Stellenbosch University due to poor English proficiency several years ago – an event that would change his life forever.Various academic accolades and awards later, Alfeus ended up at the university again. In 2016, he was awarded an international research scholarship by the Australian government’s research training programme and travelled to Sydney, Australia, to pursue a PhD in quantitative finance at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Business School.He completed his PhD in record time, and his thesis on stochastic modelling of new phenomena in financial markets was praised as the best thesis in finance by his examiners. This achievement landed him a lecturer position at the University of Wollongong in Australia.Inspired upbringingAlfeus' passion for mathematics started at an early age in his village, where he said he played a traditional game called Owela womanghete with his great-grandmother. His natural aptitude for the game led others to predict that he would excel in mathematics."My drive in academia is fuelled by my passion for combining theoretical insights with real-world applications, my commitment to mentorship, and my vision of advancing quantitative finance education and research in Africa," he said. He added: "I would like my journey to exemplify the impact of perseverance, intellectual curiosity and a dedication to fostering knowledge that benefits both the academic and financial industries."'Embrace challenges'Alfeus added that his message for Namibian youth emphasises the importance of resilience, education and a willingness to embrace challenges."I advocate for using one's unique background as a strength and striving to make meaningful contributions to global conversations while staying rooted in local contexts. Dream big, but act even bigger."He advised: "Your background is not a limitation but a foundation. Seek opportunities to learn, build networks and give back to your community. Success is not just about personal achievement but about inspiring others to rise as well."

Youngest associate professor at Stellenbosch: Passion fuels Namibian academic’s success

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

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Youngest associate professor at Stellenbosch: Passion fuels Namibian academic’s success

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

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