This pensioner just started his first year at Rhodes University

Michael Willemse is making headlines 50 years as he begins his studies towards a BA degree in anthropology and politics 50 years after passing his Grade 12. Willemse enrolled at Rhodes University after being inspired by his 30-year-old friend who registered at Rhodes for a BA in social sciences in 2019.

‘Why can’t I study?’

According to Rhodes University, Willemse didn’t think twice over the decision to apply. 

“After having a conversation with my friend, I asked myself: ‘Why can’t I study?’ I am not dead yet and I cannot look for a job at my age. I feel that we learn every day and we have to impart that knowledge to the younger generation. I have all the experience, but I have no formal higher education in my name and no one can take away the knowledge I am going to get from Rhodes University,” he said.

Never too old to follow dreams

Willemse was born in Pietermaritzburg and grew up in Cape Town. He dreamed of being an architect, but due to his family background, he could not study further after passing Grade 12 at Bellville High School in 1970.

He went on to work in the aviation industry for the bulk of his career.

In an interview with The Herald, he explained that overcoming challenges and following your dreams is an important life lesson.

“I want to show the old and the young that one is never too old to go back to school and today there are [more] opportunities that are presented for us to further our studies. We never had these opportunities back in the day, especially because we were poor at home.” 

Warm welcome at Rhodes

Because of the uniqueness of his story, Wilemse received a special welcome from Rhodes University vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela.

In welcoming him, Dr Mabizela said: “I warmly welcome Mr Willemse and thank him for coming to Rhodes University. He brings vast experience with him and I am sure young people will benefit immensely from the depth of his knowledge and understanding of things that have happened before. We are absolutely delighted to have him as a senior student among the first-years and we wish him everything of the best.”

In the past few weeks since he started university, Willemse has had to adjust to a whole new life, including staying at a university residence. And with that has come building new friendships with fellow students.

“At res we are a fraternity here and some of the younger generation students called me ‘Sir’ and I have told them to just call me Michael. It’s just the level of respect that we have for one another.”