​​​​SU graduand Phumie Chetty had it all planned to a tee: She would study hard for her exams, complete her degree and graduate. But as they say: “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

Little did Phumie know that new baby Maleah-Paige would arrive while her mom was preparing to write her test series to qualify for the exams.

Phumie received her BMil degree in Human and Organisation Development this week at the virtual December graduation ceremony of Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Military Science.

“I was pregnant with my second daughter last year, and my due date was during the test series – in fact, a few days before I had to write a law test. I begged the little one not to come until I had finished my test series."

Her initial due date passed without the new baby making an appearance, so Phumie got excited that she might actually be able to finish her tests.

“Then, to my surprise, I went into labour the day before I was due for another test. All I could think of was that I wanted to write my test. Most people would be worried about giving birth and the baby, but not me. I even called my professor to ask whether I would be able to write in hospital!" she laughs.

Maleah-Paige was delivered a few minutes before midnight, and Phumie and her husband, Malcolm, were overcome with joy.

“But then I remembered my test scheduled for 09:00 that morning and asked the medical staff whether I could be discharged to write! They thought I was joking, my husband was quite surprised, and my doctors came to see me to confirm whether I was sure that I wanted to go and write."

With her newborn baby still at the hospital, Phumie went to write her test and returned to hospital to have Maleah-Paige discharged. But there was one more paper to complete. So, a couple of days later, Phumie, her husband and their four-day-old baby girl went to the exam centre, where this determined young mother wrote her test with Malcolm and Mileah-Paige waiting patiently in the parking area.

“I want to be a role model to both my daughters and show them how to be a strong woman. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has robbed me of the opportunity to cross the stage in my academic gown. On the flip side, though, we have a great story to share about Maleah-Paige's birth." ​