The Stellenbosch University (SU) graduation ceremonies which took place during the course of this week, showcased the hard work of thousands of students, and signified that persistence pays off. Defying stereotypes associated with being a senior citizen and retiring from all limitations, 74 year old Elizabeth Ann Robertson obtained her Masters degree from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (MA) on Thursday 22 March.
Robertson started her MA (Ancient Cultures) in 2015, and broke all barriers of age by graduating with her MA (Ancient Cultures) cum laude on Thursday. Her MA thesis topic was Growing up Greek: The differing journeys through childhood in ancient Athens and Sparta.
Robertson’s thesis investigated the contrast between the way in which the upbringing of children differed in ancient Athens and Sparta by unpacking how socio-political systems would impact their maturity to adulthood. Her research concluded that ancient Athens and Sparta differed from one another in their structure and their intent, with differing levels of state-intervention due to contrasting socio-political structures.
She began her academic journey at SU in 2014 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Ancient Cultures. “I saw a newspaper advert promoting a postgraduate diploma. It sounded interesting, so I signed up!
“I was new to the Western Cape at the time and thought it would give me something to do. I enjoyed it so much, I signed up for Masters when they suggested I do so,” explained Robertson.
MA (Ancient Cultures) cum laude graduate, Elizabeth Ann Robertson with her daughter Jane Wentzel, granddaughter Bethany Wentzel and her son, Professor Mark Robertson. PHOTO: Supplied
Class life was a pleasant experience for Robertson, as she explained that most of the students were overtly polite towards her as they mistook her for a professor at first. They were shocked to find out she was a fellow student, but were always welcoming and friendly towards her.
She said that she received tremendous help from her supervisor, and could not have done it without her.
“There was always one academic in the family, and it certainly wasn’t me,” she stated when speaking of her son, Professor Mark Robertson who works at the University of Pretoria. However, there is now another academic addition to the Robertson family after her commendable achievement.
“I enjoy reading most of the time, I’m a regular church attendee, do charity work and babysit my granddaughter, which I love,” said Robertson when explaining her hobbies and pastimes.
From being raised in England, working in West and East Africa, as well as in Lesotho and South Africa, she has experienced her fair-share of the world. Never passing up the opportunity to try something different or embark on a new adventure, Robertson recently toured Italy with a friend and said that she loved every minute of it.
When asked what advice she would give to someone her age who still has dreams they want to pursue, but is hesitant because of his or her seniority, she said “Go for it! Just go for it and stick to it. There’s nothing you can’t do and age really is just a number.”