Born without arms, South African teenager writes matric exams with her feet

A South African teenager born without arms has finished among the top 10 learners in her grade after writing her final high school examinations with her right foot.

Mbali Mahlale, from Limpopo Province, completed her matric examinations at Myngenoegen English Private School in Polokwane and earned a distinction. She is originally from Giyani.

Ms Mahlale uses her feet to write, eat, dress and carry out other personal routines, which has enabled her to take part actively in school life.

The school administration made minor adjustments to her classroom seating arrangements to accommodate her physical needs, allowing her to learn alongside other students rather than being separated from ordinary classroom activities.

She reportedly joined fellow learners in playground games, including skipping and ball games. Her teachers described her as a focused, confident and determined learner.

Ms Mahlale hopes to become a medical doctor, with Mathematics and Physical Science among her favourite subjects. She recognises that securing admission to medical school requires strong grades and is considering repeating some subjects to improve her results and increase her chances of qualifying for a medical programme.

Her mother relocated the family from Giyani to Polokwane to give her access to more specialised medical care and better opportunities. The school also provided hostel accommodation, giving her a stable environment in which to concentrate on her studies.

Her achievement has drawn attention to the challenges facing learners with physical disabilities. Across many education systems, children with disabilities continue to encounter barriers such as inaccessible classrooms, inadequate learning materials, transport difficulties and insufficiently equipped schools.

While inclusive education policies seek to guarantee equal learning opportunities, their success depends on implementation, including appropriate infrastructure, assistive learning resources, supportive teachers and reasonable adjustments that allow learners with different physical needs to participate fully.

Her performance has drawn congratulatory reactions on social media. Dante Gift Malepe described her accomplishment as monumental, considering the challenges she has faced, while Sheila Coverly expressed hope that she would achieve even greater success. Other users offered prayers and words of encouragement as she prepares for the next stage of her education.