Proud graduate Rico Plaatjies knows first-hand that tragedy does not always end in despair. On his academic journey he learned that when you least expect it, misfortune can lead to triumph.
Plaatjies persevered to attain his Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology and English at the University of the Free State (UFS) in the midst of family tragedies. He walked the red carpet with a bright smile as he was awarded the prestigious feather in his cap during the graduation ceremonies held in April. He was among the 8 628 graduates.
Plaatjies’ adversity became the catalysts that inspired him to reach the apex of his educational endeavours. He suffered much grief and trauma on the journey, Plaatjies revealed.
“The journey towards attaining my degree was undoubtedly not the easiest road. I struggled with depression due to financial concerns, which led me to fail most of my modules in my second year.
“Furthermore, it resulted in me losing my bursary. I was on the brink of deciding to drop out of university when, the following year, Raubex, the company my father, Jan Plaatjies, worked for at the time gave me the necessary funding to continue,” said Plaatjies.
Tragedy struck again when he least expected it when in 2021 his father, the breadwinner in the family, died.
“This took a toll on my mental and physical health. I managed to pull through that year, and completed all my modules successfully.
“Furthermore, my mother, Hannie Plaatjies, was my only support system with the little wage she earned each month at a non-profit organisation (NPO), the Reach our Community (ROC) foundation.
“She motivated and pushed me to work harder to achieve my goals, because it was her and my father’s biggest dream. I attained my degree in December 2022, and she was extremely proud of my achievement. We both looked forward to my graduation day, on 22 April 2023.
“However, she was diagnosed with leukaemia a month before my graduation ceremony. Sadly, she passed away a week before the ceremony. We had to lay her to rest a day before my graduation,” Plaatjies recounts.
“My graduation day was a very bitter-sweet moment for me. Seeing all the other students’ parents there, celebrating their children’s achievements was indeed heartbreaking.
“However, I was content because my brother, Basil Plaatjies, and aunt, Linda Kock, were sitting amongst the rest of the audience. They were screaming the loudest from the moment I walked in the hall, until I walked across the stage.
“The lonely and sad feeling disappeared because it was at that moment that I realised that I am not alone. I am surrounded by people who love me, and I am eternally grateful.”
Plaatjies rejoices in his worthwhile achievement.
“I dedicate my achievement to both my parents, for all the sacrifices they made in order for me to attain my qualification. No words could ever describe how grateful and thankful I am for the opportunity they have granted me.
“My parents’ struggle was my biggest motivation to build a better future for them and myself. Attaining my qualification definitely honours everything my parents ever did for me. It was because of their hard work and principles that I have achieved one of my goals.
“I owe them the world. They raised me and my brothers to be good to others, because they were phenomenal parents, and also kind to all,” says Plaatjies.
He pursued Psychology by default, but he has no regrets.
“My first option was Education. However, I applied too late, and the course was already full. Then the only course that still had available space was Psychology. For the duration of my studies I learnt so much about human behaviour and started enjoying it.
“My aspiration is to further my studies in the field of psychology, becoming an educational or child psychologist in order to develop and help children through the educational sector and also on their personal growth as a whole,” says Plaatjies.
I struggled with depression due to financial concerns, which led me to fail most of my modules in my
second year.
– Rico Plaatjies
