Mother and daughter graduate together

Graduation is always a family affair, but this morning, a mother and daughter couldn't be prouder of one another as the duo walked across the stage, being awarded their Advanced Diplomas in Human Resource Management Department together.

Nomvuyo Nkani, Secretary at the Department of Maritime Studies & Survival Centre and her daughter, Pamela, have always been close. The pair are part of the 2024 CPUT Autumn Graduation series, which is celebrating the success of 6 373 undergraduates and 735 postgraduates during 14 ceremonies, which started this morning and conclude on 26 April.

Nomvuyo raised Pamela alone since her daughter was five years old, so they've shared "a lot together" but never expected to share this milestone. They've been studying hard during their time at CPUT and now they're getting matching Advanced Diplomas, Human Resource Development for Nomvuyo and Human Resource Management for Pamela.

Nomvuyo said she never studied for a university degree then back in the day, but her daughter gave her the inspiration she needed. In 2016, Nomvuyo enrolled for her Diploma in Office Management. "Juggling the responsibilities of being a full-time working single mother of two while also studying was incredibly challenging. I faced various obstacles, including having to repeat some modules, but through perseverance and hard work, I completed my diploma in December 2020 and graduated in April 2021."

In 2022, she enrolled for the Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Development, despite encountering similar difficulties, Nomvuyo who was born in Qumbu, Eastern Cape managed to complete the programme in 2023.

Meanwhile, Pamela, 21 started her schooling at Athlone North Primary school and completed her matric at Wittebome High school in 2019. In 2020, she enrolled for a Diploma in Human Resource Management and graduated in April 2023 at CPUT. After that she enrolled for the Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management, which she just completed.

"To be where I am today took a lot of discipline, dedication and my respect for my mother, because I know how hard she worked to provide me the life that I have and by me working so hard is a sign of respect to her but also a sign of respect to myself. Knowing that I can stay disciplined for the things that I want for myself, knowing I have the will and the drive to persevere and having so much discipline that peer pressure didn't affect my outcome in life," Pamela reflects.

Her mother says: "Reaching my educational milestones has been particularly gratifying, affirming my abilities and fostering a sense of fulfilment and accomplishment. Each of these experiences has imparted valuable lessons and chances for self-exploration, profoundly shaping my journey."

Asked about studying with her first child, Nomvuyo says, most of the time, their school schedules matched up. "So, we would regularly remind each other about submission deadlines and check in on each other's progress. It often felt like she [Pamela] was the one supporting me the most. She'd barge into my room and catch me napping, making a fuss, and questioning if that's how I envisioned my future. 'Wake up, there are no free cattle in the bush,' she'd say. Despite initially feeling annoyed, I appreciated her encouragement and would get back to studying."

They always have a friendly relationship. "My mom had me when she was only 20 years old, so in a way we kind of grew up together, learning things together and growing together. We have to keep in mind that we are all doing this life thing for the first time, we might get it wrong a few times but eventually everything will fall into place."

Talking about graduating with her mother, Pamela says: "It is an indescribable feeling. Knowing where my mom and I started, this achievement seemed so out of reach. Had you asked me this when I was in my primary/high school journey I would have laughed in your face. But now that we are actually here, and it is happening. It's a joy that is indescribable, a joy that is warm, a joy that makes you smile at random moment which will have you looking like a crazy person, it's a joy filled with love, a joy filled with gratitude, a joy filled with admiration and lastly a joy filled with endless possibilities."

Her modest mother says: "I feel extraordinary, like a woman of great value. Achieving milestones like this is incredibly rare, and not every mother gets the chance to experience such a remarkable and thrilling event. I'm ecstatic beyond words."

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