Making a difference after loss
was shattering. I got supplementary exams for 80% of my modules. I rewrote and had to repeat them the following year. It was at this time that my career choice was questioned.
“However, I knew chemical engineering was my passion and so I cried a little, but picked myself up and continued to study.
“Last year, during my final year, I had just gone through the challenging experience of final-year design, only to log on to Student Central and find that I passed all but one module. It was at this time that I felt like throwing in the towel but I realised that giving up was not an option and so I pressed on.
“There will be good days and there will be really bad days as well and that’s okay.
“You need to learn to push on and understand that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.
“No matter where life takes you, you need to remain strongminded and focused.” PATRICIA Govender’s road to success has not been an easy one. During her studies, her teenage son was diagnosed with a genetic disorder and later died.
Dealing with her immense loss, the grieving mother remained steadfast that she would complete her studies. Last week, she graduated with a PhD from the School of Chemistry and Physics.
“While pursuing my BProc degree with the intent of becoming a patent attorney, my son, Teshan, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a terminal genetic disorder.”
Govender said while taking care of him, she continued to study and pursued her Honours and a Master’s degrees in analytical chemistry.
In March 2012, she registered for her PhD. Two months into her studies Teshan died, on Mother’s Day, at the age of 19.
A devastated Govender de-registered from her studies.
“For three years I battled to accept my son’s death. But then I questioned how would he feel knowing I put my dreams aside. I re-registered for my PhD in 2015. I conducted research that would contribute to the development of drugs to treat bacterial infection, cancer, malaria and ultimately save lives.”
She continued: “The PhD project afforded me the opportunity to explore a new research interest. The development of new antibacterials locally will make these drugs cost-effective and affordable for the majority of South Africans.”