The strength of a woman is unmatched and the strength of a mother even more so, and this has been proven true by a new graduate from Stellenbosch University. 

Aerolene Griebelaar showed that hard work and perseverance pays off as she walked across the stage to receive her Bachelor of Theology on Friday. 

The mother of two from Cloetesville in the Western Cape took seven years to reach her goal, and even though the road was long, she never gave up.

Griebelaar, who has been a cleaner at the university since 2017, has had to balance work, life, and studies. 

Her work day starts at 7am until 4pm daily, and from 6pm to 8pm she attended online classes for her studies. 

“My interest in theology started at an early age. At 15, feeling a calling that shaped my life as a young adult, I decided to join a Pentecostal church,” she said.

“I pursued self-study and became actively involved in church community activities, initially aspiring to become a social worker. However, those plans did not work out.” 

Griebelaar said it was one of the faculty leaders who encouraged her to apply for her studies. 

“My duties saw me transition to the Faculty of Theology in 2019. Dean Professor Reggie Nel approached me about a part-time programme and encouraged me to consider applying for it. Intrigued, I decided to try it, marking the start of a new chapter in my journey,” Griebelaar said. 

Professor Nel was full of praise for her success. 

“I remember her positive work ethic in the buildings of the Theology Faculty as a cleaner. She did her work with so much dignity and joy,” he said. 

“But she also aspired to playing a more significant role in society. The fact that she was already working fulltime with a lovely family, did not hold her back in terms of her greater calling in life.”  

Nel said the newly implemented bachelor’s in theology part-time hybrid programme was the ideal gateway for Griebelaar as it was designed to offer access and pathways for potential older students. 

“She grasped the invitation and initiative with both hands and an open heart. What we see is solely due to her hard work and perseverance. And as she has plans to further her studies, we wish her success in living out her calling. She inspires all of us. She resets boundaries. She is imagining and creating new futures,” Professor Nel said. 

The mother of two said the support from her family was pivotal and balancing her responsibilities were not without its challenges. 

“Some days were extremely challenging, as my two children also needed attention for their schoolwork. I had to find a way to assist them while attending my own classes. The kitchen became the best solution: I placed my laptop on the microwave to join class, my son worked at the kitchen counter, and my daughter used the freezer as her desk. This allowed me to help them while cooking on the gas stove,” Griebelaar said.  

She praised her husband for his support. 

“My husband was amazing. He supported me by getting the kids ready in the mornings and dropping them at school, as I was already at work by the time they woke up. Some evenings, I stayed on campus until 11pm to finish my assignments. Weekends were spent at venues such as the Jan Mouton Learning Centre or the Theology computer lab. Free time became a thing of the past,” she said. 

Griebelaar said she remained steadfast in her goal and found moments of joy and learning throughout the process. 

“This degree is more than a qualification. This journey has brought me closer to God. It has opened new worlds and improved my outlook on life and myself. I have discovered my identity; who and what I am. I see it as an outstanding achievement and one of the highlights of my life. Receiving this degree is a great privilege. Even though it came at a cost, at the end of the day, it was well worth it,” she said proudly. 

Griebelaar said she aspires to continue a community project she initiated during her studies.

“AG Empowerment continues to thrive, and I am currently working with a group of young people in the community to foster growth and development. Looking ahead, I aim to explore opportunities in counselling and establish a practice from my home. This venture would allow me to provide funeral services and officiate marriages, offering valuable services directly to the community. However, my goal will always remain focused on making meaningful contributions to the well-being of those around me,” Griebelaar said. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL

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