At the age of 44, Benedict “Bernie” Wiles lived a comfortable life.
She had a loving family, a comfortable home in Meadows, Pietermaritzburg, as well as a steady job. Yet, something was amiss. Although the 48 year-old longed to fulfil her childhood dream of becoming an educator, she had always shrugged the idea off. However, in the year 2008, Wiles knew she could no longer suppress her desire. “One night, I told my husband that I would love to study full time and he agreed. I asked him for three consecutive days and he still agreed. I knew then that it was the right time for me to study,” Wiles rememberes.
She did her research and finally in 2009, she enrolled for a Bachelor of Education degree at the Durban University of Technology’s Indumiso Campus, PMB. The experience came with its challenges, but through willpower and “God’s grace”, Wiles managed to complete the course in record time. She received her degree on yesterday (Thursday, April 11, 2013) during the Pietermaritzburg autumn graduation ceremony.
Given her age, Wiles said she knew most people would not support her idea of becoming a full time student. She was however too passionate to allow this to deter her. She was previously employed as a manager at Clicks and had to resign from her job to pursue her studies. Not even Wiles’ letter of notice was enough to convince her superior. “She (her superior) didn’t even do the necessary paper work because she believed I would change my mind,” Wiles said. But her decision was final.
The first-year came with expected challenges. It had been 25 years since Wiles, who got married and started working immediately after matriculating, had been in a teaching and learning environment. This required versatility. Being a family woman, Wiles also had to develop a system that would benefit both her family and studies. “I took care of my family but I also took time for my studies. I’d come home, cook and by 10pm, I’d focus on my studies. I also went to study at the library on Saturdays,” she said.
With the help of her lecturers as well as her younger peers whom she described as respectful and fun, Wiles passed her first and second-year with pleasing results. She only struggled in Accounting as she had not learnt this subject in high school but she knew that she would have to work harder when it came to this subject. Apart from this, Wiles had finally settled well into the course.
In 2011, while Wiles was in her third-year, tragedy struck. Her husband, Ronnie, was diagnosed with brain cancer. “It was a difficult time for the family; I had to juggle his chemotherapy, my lectures and my assignments,” said Wiles. By the end of that year, Ronnie’s health had improved immensely; Wiles also passed some of her subjects with distinctions. But fate had ulterior plans. On March 11, 2012, her husband passed away. “He was fine; his death was sudden,” Wiles rememberers bitterly.
The family was hard-hit by Ronnie’s death. All the plans they had made for her (Benedict) graduation were now shattered. “We planned to have a big celebration but I won’t be able to have that anymore,” Wiles said.
A firm believer in God, Bernie knows that the passing of her loving husband was God’s plan. Even in her husband’s absence, Wiles is still very close with her two daughters and son. She is also very excited about the birth of her grandchild.
She is currently seeking employment in underprivileged schools as she is passionate about helping with the development of such schools.
– Naledi Hlefane
Picture: Jonathan Burton/The Witness
Forty eight year-old Benedict Wiles who yesterday received her Bachelor of Education degree during DUT’s graduations at the Indumiso Campus, PMB. The moment was bittersweet for Wiles as her husband, Ronnie Wiles, who had supported her dream, passed away before it came to fruition.
