Looking resplendent in their gowns, they walked on the red carpet down the aisle as new graduates and spotted me eagerly waiting to congratulate them. Each of my students hugged me and thanked me. What they said next made me laugh because it proved how well they know me.
“Don’t cry Maya!” they exclaimed in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.
Of course, I cried.
I cried driving to the venue, I cried as I caught glimpses of them before the ceremony, and I cried my heart out as their names were called out and they walked onto stage to receive their diplomas in journalism – the culmination of three long years of arduous work and utmost dedication.
There were many thoughts racing through my mind. I remembered when I first met them at the start of 2022. I knew immediately that I had to be on top of my game, and these students would teach me, in the process of me teaching them. Lessons about love and respect, lessons about struggles and triumph were interspered among our lessons of newswriting, broadcast journalism and work integrated learning. I recalled their joy when we first received and started working with podcasting equipment and how that got their creative juices flowing. I had flashbacks of our busy, intense days on campus and when we finally took a break, they would lovingly ask if I wanted coffee and a sweet treat from the café around the corner. Talk about making my heart melt!
As far as graduations go, Rosebank College Durban – take a bow. This was excellently co-ordinated and professionally executed. While the graduation proceeded with cheers of celebration and ululating from the crowd, I thought of their parents, guardians and family members who had made immense sacrifices for their education. And I felt blessed to be able to share this journey with them.
I realised then, that graduating was once a dream; a dream that my students have now fulfilled, not only for themselves, but their families too. They truly are the changemakers and a generation that will inspire future generations. Many of them are already working in the journalism industry and spreading their wings.
As I wait for their careers to unfold, I want to say to them – dream on, dreamers. For if you can dream it, you can do it. Your graduation bears testimony to that. Halala!
We looove you girl ❤️