‘My education degree is for my son’
Pamella Buys achieved 24 distinctions and dedicates it all to her son, Andile Buys.
Port Shepstone Senior Primary education assistant, Pamella Buys (31) of Mtwalume is proud to have finally completed her Bachelor of Education degree at Unisa with 24 distinctions.
Her dream was to have achieved more by this age, however, life took its own direction.
Buys is a single mother to Andile (15) who has cerebral palsy and lives in a care facility in Durban.
She fell pregnant in Grade 11 and had to drop out of school.
“Falling pregnant was not the best move, especially being so close to matriculating. I gave birth to Andile in June and I could not go back to school as he required all my attention and special care. After talking to my parents, I decided to drop out and take care of my child,” said Buys.
However she still had a dream of finishing school and going to university, but Andile came first.
“I couldn’t burden my parents to take care of him, so I had to make the right choices. I looked for carers locally and when that did not work out, I found him a care home so that I could further my studies. After he was accepted at the facility, I was able to complete my matric and then registered at Unisa, “Buys explained.
Throughout her studies she told herself that all that she was pursuing, was for Andile.
“Each time I wrote an exam, it was for Andile. Today I am proud that I have achieved 24 distinctions which are all dedicated to my son. What made me more proud is that my graduation was on his 15th birthday, June 8. I am not going to stop until I get my doctorate.
“Currently I am working as a teacher assistant and am hoping to find a permanent job, then register for my honours and later my doctorate, all in the name of my son. He is my everything and I want to give him the best life, maybe even by getting him into private care,” Buys added.
She thanks her parents, Kenneth and Lungile Buys for allowing her the opportunity to continue with her studies and do what is best for their grandson.
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