Moonstone Business School of Excellence (MBSE) encourages students to embrace lifelong learning. Its staff practise what they preach.
Like many working professionals, Ashnee Chetty, Leonie Tanser, and Linzee Serfontein had reasons to postpone further study. Careers were demanding. Family responsibilities competed for attention. Life was already full.
Many people wait for the “right time” to study. They reached a different conclusion: if they waited for life to become less busy, they might never begin.
Each returned to formal study while continuing to support MBSE’s students and fulfil demanding roles of their own. Each graduated with distinction or cum laude. And each discovered that becoming a student again changed not only their own lives, but also the way they support MBSE’s students.
There is never a perfect time
At 49, MBSE lecturer Ashnee decided it was time to return to formal study.
A year later, she graduated with distinctions in all eight modules of an Advanced Diploma in Business Management (NQF 7) through MANCOSA.
For Ashnee, the decision was about more than growing professionally. It was also about showing her daughter that the best lessons are often taught through example.
“As a lecturer, I believe it is important to remain current and continuously build on my own qualifications so that I can provide the best possible learning experience for my students. It is also something I want to instil in my daughter, not just with words but by doing.”
Eight modules in a single year meant a constant balancing act between work, study, and family life.
“There were many late nights and weekends dedicated to studying, but I remained focused on the end goal.”
When life gets in the way
MBSE lecturer Leonie had successfully combined work and study before, completing four previous qualifications while working full-time. But last year, life demanded more of her than ever.
“Studying last year was a stretch with my other responsibilities. I am a typical sandwich generation candidate.”
Knowing how quickly unexpected events can derail even the best intentions, she planned meticulously.
“I worked hard and started each assignment well in advance of the due date. I took three modules per semester, so I needed to be super-organised and work a little bit each day. I can’t leave things to the last minute, because I am always scared that something will go wrong.”
It did.
“I had three personal obstacles crop up during the week of my research project deadline which threatened to derail me.”
They didn’t.
A few months later, Leonie graduated with distinction in her Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance through Varsity College (now Emeris).
Why wait?
For Linzee, MBSE’s manager: qualification administration, postponing her studies would have been the easy decision.
She had recently welcomed her second child.
Instead, one simple thought shaped her decision.
“I kept reminding myself that the year would pass whether I studied or not, and I did not want to look back with regret for not taking the opportunity.”
That mindset led her to enrol for a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership through Regent Business School.
“Completing a postgraduate qualification has always been one of my personal goals. When the opportunity presented itself, I knew I had to take it. At the time, I had recently had a baby, and many people would probably have said it was not the right time. But I realised there will always be something happening in life that could become an excuse to postpone your goals.”
As a working mother of two, studying happened after bedtime or before the rest of the household woke up each morning.
“There were many moments when I felt exhausted, but I reminded myself that it was a short-term sacrifice for a lifelong achievement.”
She graduated cum laude.
Walking in students’ shoes
Returning to formal study gave all three women something they had not expected: a new perspective on the students they work with every day.
Studying while working reinforced Ashnee’s belief that lifelong learning benefits educators just as much as it benefits students.
“It reminded me that no matter where you are in your career, there is always something new to learn, and every qualification contributes to both personal and professional growth. I believe it also allows me to better relate to the challenges and achievements our students experience because I have recently walked that journey myself.”
One module that had a lasting impact was Business Management – a subject she now lectures as part of MBSE’s Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning qualification.
“It provided a strong understanding of strategic management and leadership, which has been invaluable in my current role. Having recently studied the subject has given me a deeper appreciation of the concepts and has enabled me to explain them with greater confidence.”
Returning to the classroom reminded Leonie that even familiar ground can offer new lessons. Although some of the material was already familiar, she soon found herself challenged in unexpected ways.
“I lectured some of the topics in a previous role in a different country, so the material was already familiar. Conducting research for my essays and my research project was very interesting and stimulating, and it was important to learn more about the South African perspective.
“I assumed in the beginning that it would be easy to achieve excellent marks, but I was challenged a lot and really had to work at giving the lecturers what they asked for in the assignments.”
Today, she brings that perspective into her own classroom.
“I am, on one hand, more empathetic with students but on the other hand I will keep encouraging them to keep pushing themselves. It is in their best interests to dig deep to achieve success.”
Balancing assignments with work and family life brought the student experience into sharper focus for Linzee.
“It made me think more deeply about what students need, the challenges they experience, and how we, as an institution, can continuously improve the student experience. It reinforced the importance of putting students at the centre of everything we do.”
Learning never stops
Graduation was never the finish line. For all three women, it marked another step in a lifelong commitment to learning.
Ashnee is already looking ahead to her next qualification. She wants to pursue a postgraduate diploma next year.
For others who have been thinking about studying further but haven’t yet taken the first step, her advice is simple: go for it.
“I began this qualification at the age of 49 and graduated at 50, proving that it is never too late to invest in yourself.”
Leonie believes success depends as much on planning as determination.
“Ensure that you have support from your colleagues and line manager – mine were amazing. Be honest with family members about the support you will need too. See what you can clear from your schedule and reallocate to study time. I did not watch TV for a year.”
Although she is considering a master’s degree, she is taking time to celebrate what she has achieved.
Linzee hopes her journey will encourage other mothers who may doubt whether they can study while raising a family.
“You absolutely can. It won’t always be easy, but it is possible, and the reward is worth every sacrifice.”
For more information about MBSE’s range of qualifications, visit www.mbse.ac.za or contact MBSE at help@mbse.ac.za.
