Pensioner, 67, enrols at Rhodes
After losing job, Willemse decided to study
NOVELIST Paulo Coelho said: “People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”
Michael Willemse, 67, realised his dream of studying at a higher education institution this year when he enrolled at Rhodes University.
Willemse said he grew up poor and couldn’t afford university when he finished high school in 1970.
“My father said he couldn’t afford to pay for university when I left school,” he said.
Willemse worked in an aviation company as a secretary for years. “When I eventually gathered I could study at the university and got accepted.”
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) recipient is enrolled for an anthropology and politics degree.
Willemse said he decided to pursue Anthropology and Politics because getting into architecture, his first choice, required a high maths mark which he didn’t have.
“I was a bit stupid with maths so I couldn’t any degree where mathematics is prerequiste.”
Willemse said he decided to go to school after he lost his job.
“I retired prematurely because the chief executives left with all the money of all the investors.”
As a result, the company went bankrupt and Willemse lost his pension. He is funding his studies with his social grant while waiting to be approved by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
The pensioner said, so far, his university experience was fantastic and he was settling in quite well in a friendly environment.
“The students, the lecturers, personnel at the university are absolutely fantastic. I must say Rhodes is very unique. You feel as if you’re part of a family,” Willemse said.
He added that there was a lot of respect at the university, saying that there’s no such thing as “you’re young, I’m old”.
Willemse, who never married, lives at an on campus residence.
“We all get along so well, all friendly and respect one another,” he excitedly said.
He said his family was fully behind him pursuing his studies.
“I have a sibling, my sister who has three children and four grandchildren. They are fully behind me and so are thousands of commentators on the internet and even the Rhodes staff.”
He encouraged people to pursue higher education.
“Leaving school with a matric is not enough today, you must actually go study as soon as you can.
“There are so many tales of thanks, hope and inspiration that comes from this, I am hoping that I would inspire people to think about studying further, you are never too old, we learn from each other every day,” he said.