The De Villiers family motto: 'Nothing is impossible'

Meanwhile, UPOnline had two graduation ceremonies – the first for Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health recipients and the second ceremony for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management cohort.

UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe said the average higher education level among the 38 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries was just over 39%. In South Africa, 7% of the population had a tertiary education and 6% had a university degree, specifically. That works out at around 1.5 million people out of 60 million.

“You can see why, with the capping of every new graduate, the self-esteem of our entire society rises just a little bit more,” Prof Kupe said.

“The qualifications you are leaving with have the potential to open many doors. Some graduates will take up formal employment. Others will choose to knock bravely and boldly on the door to entrepreneurship. Still others will be continuing your studies or taking a gap year, perhaps to travel or to volunteer for a cause close to your heart, or to gain experience.

“There are many alumni services and opportunities to which you have access, from opportunities to collaborate in research or be part of national, African and global conversations, to opportunities to advance your career. If you are at a crossroads over your future, now would be a good time to make use of those services.”

By Paseka Elcort Gaola

Twenty-five-year-old

Mathias Shunmugam is believed to be the youngest PhD holder in the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies 105-year history.

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Number of degrees and certificates awarded during the 2022 spring graduation ceremonies

Dr Ronel de Villiers, a senior lecturer in Music Education at the University of Pretoria (UP), is the proud mother of two recent UP graduates.

This year her daughter, Anel, received a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Science (Clothing Retail Management), while her son, Dion, graduated with an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering. Both Anel and Dion graduated cum laude

Prior to being a lecturer at UP, Dr De Villiers, who received a PhD in Music Education from the University in 2018, was a schoolteacher for 30 years and emphasised the importance of education in the De Villiers household.

“I introduced my children to homeschooling curricula when they were only three years old,” she says. “They played educational games and sang various songs when learning new things. I also instilled a love of reading in my children, assisted them with assignments, and helped them prepare for tests and exams throughout their schooling. My husband and I always aimed to frame education as something fun.”

She adds that hers is a close-knit family, and that they encourage one another when it comes to difficult tasks. “I always offer my two cents during these challenging times by reiterating to my kids that they have too many brain cells to fail and that when it comes to significant tasks, they need to ‘eat an elephant piece by piece’.”

Dion lives by this principle. Although he graduated cum laude, he says it was not an easy journey, as he had failed a few subjects during his undergraduate studies.

Dion de Villiers

“Regardless of the challenges I faced, never lost hope, and I succeeded in the end,” he recalls. “I finished my degree in the designated four years in addition to being recognised by the Golden Key International Honour Society for my achievements in completing my honours degree.”

Dion is working at an engineering consultancy company while completing his master’s part-time. He advises students not to be afraid of failure, as it is the best teacher.

Anel encapsulates the spirit of “nothing is impossible”, as she was awarded academic honorary colours and completed every module, each with a distinction. Her outstanding academic journey was recognised by the Golden Key International Honour Society in her second year of study. She also received the Top Achiever Award from the South African Association of Family Ecology and Consumer Science as the best finalyear student in the Consumer Science programme, and was listed on the Dean’s Merit List of Exceptional Academic Achievers.

Despite these remarkable achievements, Anel’s journey was also not without its trials. Her biggest challenge while studying was time management. “I juggled both university tasks and part-time work as required by one of our modules, where we were expected to complete 480 hours of industry-related employment.”

Anel advises students to adopt a teachable spirit and have the ability to bounce back. She also places emphasis on finding a healthy balance between studies and a personal life.

By Mecayla Maseka