Thank you letter to the University of South Africa

The following letter from a grateful Unisa student was published on News24 on 10 August 2018.

Click here to read the full story on News24.

It is very rare where one receives praise where praise is due. People are quick to criticise when things go wrong and therefore this letter serves of even more importance.  

To my dearest,

After seven years travelling through treacherous terrain, with long winding roads and steep slopes with you by my side, I finally reached my destination. During this time you have witnessed me shedding tears out of fear, anxiety, stress, relief and happiness. Seven tedious years of blood sweat and tears all in the name of seeking knowledge.

Thank you for affording me the opportunity to complete my Bachelor of Laws degree with you while working full time. Yes, seven years is a long time, yet if I did not embark on this journey seven years ago, I would by now still be in the same position I was in seven years ago.

A wise man named Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”  For knowledge brings power and power affords you to not only think and see things through a different lens critically but also to find solutions and impart knowledge onto others.

I want to thank the academic staff of the law faculty for their support. To the administration staff in Cape Town, Parow, you are the most helpful and efficient personnel I have come across. To the rest of the staff in Pretoria, thank you for replying promptly to any questions and finding solutions to my problems. Lastly, to the invigilators at the Cape Town venue in Milnerton, your warm smiles and friendly nature kept me sane during the many examinations.

My time at UNISA has taught me determination, self-motivation, perseverance and to trust and believe in yourself. To study via correspondence is not easy, yet what comes easy in life? Once you can overcome these obstacles, nothing can ever stop you from achieving greatness, for “no thief however skilful can rob one of knowledge and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire”.

Studying via correspondence is not as lonely as it might sound. Help is nothing but an email, a quick post online via the intranet or attending tutorials at a UNISA venue away.

University of South Africa continue your great work by influencing and shaping great minds.

Yours sincerely,

Karlee*
Unisa LLB graduate 2018