Sisters Jemma and Juliet du Plessis from Somerset West shared a significant milestone; both graduated with distinction from the Independent Institute of Education (IIE-Vega Cape Town) recently.
The siblings were among 241 students who received their qualifications. Jemma graduated with an IIE Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, while Juliet received an IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Strategic Brand Management. Juliet also earned the prestigious IIE-Vega Pencil Achievement Award, recognising top-performing students across all programmes.
On receiving the Pencil Award Juliet said it meant more than academic achievement for her.
“It reminded me that people notice your effort. When I went to thank my brand-management and communications lecturer, Karen Lategan, she said she would miss my bubbly personality, if anything a measure of the close connections that can occur between students and the people who are key to their formation, in this case lecturers and fellow students, who form a community.”
Juliet du Plessis
She keeps the award on her desk as motivation while pursuing her honours in strategic brand management.
Born a year apart, the sisters’ bond strengthened during their time living and studying together.
“It’s been a huge privilege to study alongside my sister,” said Juliet. “We’re very close and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Jemma’s passion for design was influenced by her mother, also an interior designer. “I fell in love with the use of colour and spatial layout. I knew that IIE-Vega would give me the best foundation to succeed.”
She now works as an interior designer at The Sourcing Lab at the Old Cape Quarter in Green Point.
Juliet, who initially considered finance, discovered branding through career counselling. She currently holds a marketing internship at Capitec Bank that could become permanent.
“My goal is to become a marketing lead and eventually a manager,” she pointed out.
The sisters supported each other throughout their studies. “Juliet inspired me daily,” said Jemma. “Her work ethic was phenomenal and changed how I approached my studies. It became about commitment – showing up and pushing through difficult days.”
Despite being “complete opposites” – Jemma creative and Juliet strategic – they became each other’s strongest supporters. “She helped me take breaks when I overstressed and I helped her with assignments,” said Juliet. “It was a team effort.”
Jemma described graduation as “crossing the finish line hand-in-hand”. “No-one saw all the tears and sleepless nights, but we remembered every moment as we walked across that stage,” she said.
Their advice for siblings considering studying together?
“Be patient, lean on each other and trust that everything will fall into place,” said Jemma.
Juliet agreed: “Having someone that close go through it with you makes all the difference. Living through these moments together is something I’ll always treasure.”
