On many nights, long after the rest of the house had gone quiet, a light still burned.
At the table sat a mother and her son, books open, laptops glowing, pushing through fatigue together. It was not just about passing exams – it was about showing up, for themselves and for each other.
This year, that shared commitment turned into something rare and powerful. Both mother, Ms Jyothi Valjee and son, Mr Ashail Valjee, graduated summa cum laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in different fields but in one shared journey.
For Ashail, the year was defined by pressure and persistence. Balancing a full work schedule with the demands of an Honours in Human Resources Management meant long days that often stretched into early mornings.
“There were sacrifices in terms of time,” he says. “I had less time to socialise with friends and family. I had to prioritise my thesis and assessments, sometimes working until the early hours of the morning.”
What makes his achievement stand out is not just the distinction, but the reality behind it. He was not chasing perfection. He was chasing consistency.
“I didn’t expect it,” he reflects. “I went into the year focused on understanding my work and doing the best I could. As the year progressed, I realised that staying consistent was more important than chasing a specific result.”
That mindset carried him through moments of fatigue and self-doubt, especially while adjusting to a new academic environment. Structure, discipline and small steps forward became his way through.
“It feels both rewarding and humbling,” he says. “There were moments where it felt overwhelming, so reaching this point is something I’m deeply grateful for.”
But this story is not only about one student’s success. It is about what happens when a family walks the journey together.
For his mother, the road to her master’s in Educational Psychology qualification was shaped by something far more difficult than deadlines. Just a month before her studies began, she was in a serious accident and suffered multiple spinal fractures.
“There were many moments where I felt I could not continue,” she shares. “Pain is still a constant.” Yet, she did continue. Not alone, but alongside her family.
For her, this achievement is bigger than marks. “This moment feels deeply meaningful beyond individual achievement,” she says. “It represents resilience, healing, and shared purpose. We didn’t just succeed on our own. We supported each other through it all.”
That support went both ways. “It’s been incredibly inspiring,” Ashail says of watching his mother study with the same determination expected of him. “It made me realise that learning doesn’t stop, and that determination is something you choose every day.”
Their fields may be different – Ashail’s rooted in understanding organisations and people in the workplace, hers focused on understanding people at a deeper, emotional level…but the lessons they shared crossed those boundaries.
“From my mom, I’ve learned the importance of empathy and depth in thinking,” he says. “We’ve balanced each other well.”
For Jyothi, being both a parent and a student changed her in ways she did not expect.
“Being a parent gave me the strength to persevere,” she says. “And being a student made me more reflective and patient. The two roles became intertwined in a very meaningful way.”
Behind the summa cum laude titles are the quieter truths of late nights, missed moments, constant effort, and the kind of discipline that builds slowly over time.
“It reflects consistency more than anything else,” Ashail explains. “It’s about showing up every day, even when it’s difficult.”
For this family, education did not happen in isolation. It became something shared and lived together.
“I hope it shows that studying as a family is not only possible, but powerful,” Jyothi says. “What may seem impossible can become meaningful and achievable with support and patience.”
Looking ahead, their journey is far from over. Ashail plans to pursue his master’s degree while Jyothi has her sights set on a PhD. But what they carry forward is more than ambition.
“This experience has strengthened our bond,” says Jyothi.” There is a deeper respect and understanding between us now.”
Words: Oliver Meth
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini