The 90-year-old graduate says the secret is simple: keep your mind active, stay disciplined, and don’t stop learning.
Johannesburg, South Africa (11 August 2025) – Caspar Greeff has been busy hitting the books! At 90, he has just graduated from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy.
His decision to study again was rekindled after he retired five years ago and wanted to keep his mind sharp. By then, he’d already earned a BSc in Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, an Honours in Operations Research, and a qualification from the Faculty of Actuaries in the UK, UJ reports.
A smart cookie indeed.
In the 1960s, when he tackled actuarial exams, the tools of the trade were logarithms and a slide rule. This time around, his biggest challenge wasn’t the coursework (which he nailed), it was swapping the slide rule for a laptop.
“I had to get used to using a laptop consistently,” he chuckles.
With the patient guidance of his daughter, Michele, and UJ’s lecturers, Caspar learned to navigate Word, Excel, and online submissions like a pro.
A tech guru at 90.
And it’s not just his mind that he makes sure to keep in top form. A road runner since 1969, Mr Greeff still participates in 5km park runs and goes to the gym regularly.
“We slow down with age, but experience helps counter that. I’m convinced there are many people as old as me, or older, who can still study and earn degrees,” he says.
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How Love Rewrote the Story of a Little Boy Once Left Outside Hopelands’ GateWhen it comes to advice for others, Caspar encourages ‘getting into the habit’ of things consistently. At 90 he proves that it’s all about showing up, which is often the toughest part of becoming a better human:
“Get into the habit of doing things regularly. Like sportspeople, you must train your mind and body. Discipline is the foundation of success.”
Professor Marelize Malan, Deputy Head of the Department of Accounting, celebrates her oldest student’s massive strides:
“In a world shaped by artificial intelligence and constant change, Mr Greeff has embraced the digital age not just with curiosity, but with courage. And in doing so, he has become a symbol of resilience, possibility, and the enduring power of education.”
Caspar isn’t done yet. His next goal is tackling the deeper layers of the onion that is life.
“My goal is to keep learning, especially in philosophy, even if I don’t write exams again.”
The learning should never stop! Age is no barrier to ambition. This is the third story we have shared this week (so far, and it’s Monday), proving it.
“I believe that everyone should continue learning, no matter how old they are,” says Mr Greeff. “Learning should continue throughout life.”
Sources: Linked above
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