For more than three decades, Sunelle Hanekom worked behind the scenes – organising, supporting and managing processes to ensure that others could succeed. Now, at 54, she proudly stepped onto the stage at Stellenbosch University (SU) not as a staff member, but as a master’s graduate.

For Hanekom, who works as Research Manager: Research Funds, Ethics & PhD Management at Stellenbosch Business School, it’s a moment that has been many years in the making – and one that was nearly derailed in its final stretch. While completing the last year of her master’s degree, her husband, Dewald, suffered a stroke. 

“It was a massive shock,” Hanekom recalls. “Suddenly our whole world was upside down.” Yet even as daily life was reshaped by doctors’ visits, new routines and uncertainty, she pressed on.

A quiet determination shaped over time

Hanekom was born and raised in Oudtshoorn and completed a national secretarial diploma at the Technical College Stellenbosch, now Boland College, in 1992. From there, she built a career that would steadily evolve across administrative and research environments. She began as a typist, moved into secretarial roles and later became a personal assistant and administrator.

Her path at SU started in 1998, when she joined the School of Accountancy as a senior secretary, a role that gave her what she describes as a “foot in the door”. Over the years, she held positions at the Oral and Dental Research Institute, the Division of Pharmacology and the Department of Medicine before moving to Stellenbosch Business School in 2012.

There, her role continued to expand. From personal assistant to research coordinator, and later to research manager, Hanekom became deeply involved in ethics processes, research administration and doctoral management. One of her most significant contributions was the implementation of the Business School’s ethical clearance process between 2014 and 2017 – a system that remains in use today.

Throughout these years, she quietly pursued growth. “Every course I completed was a deliberate effort to move forward and grow in my career. I wanted to constantly improve my knowledge and understanding.” 

Yet the idea of pursuing a formal degree remained uncertain. “I always knew I wanted to do something extra, but I did not know what exactly,” she recalls.

Returning to study and finding confidence

That direction came unexpectedly. At a conference, she heard about the development of a new Postgraduate Diploma in Research Management and Administration offered through the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at SU.

She eventually applied in 2020 as a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) student. Returning to formal study after decades in the workplace was daunting. “I suddenly had to manage not just work and home, but also this third academic component,” she says. “The first year was quite a shock to my system.”

Balancing responsibilities meant late nights, careful time management and sustained discipline. The academic demands were unfamiliar. “I was questioning myself the whole time. Can I do it? Do I have the ability?”

But as she began to master complex concepts, her confidence grew. She completed the postgraduate diploma with distinction, laying a foundation for what would come next. Encouraged by supportive colleagues, she took an even greater step. “After I completed my PG Diploma, Prof Charlene Gerber said, ‘Now you’ll do your master’s degree.’ I said, ‘No way!’ But before long, it didn’t seem so daunting.”

Hanekom enrolled for an MPhil in Science and Technology Studies, a specialised programme focusing on the social dynamics of science, policy and research systems. Drawing on decades of professional experience, she found that theory and practice began to align. She completed her master’s research report cum laude. “My practical experience has been enriched by theoretical know-how,” she says. 

Persevering through personal hardship

The final phase of her studies, however, brought an unexpected and profound challenge. While working on the analysis and interpretation of her research, her husband, Dewald, suffered a stroke. The event took the wind out of her sails.

“It happened just as our eldest daughter Suné got married,” Hanekom recalls. “We watched her wedding over Zoom from the hospital bed.” The months that followed required a complete restructuring of daily life. 

Support from her family became crucial. The couple's daughter Wilmari and her boyfriend Jean-Pierre Mostert moved in temporarily, helping with household responsibilities. Her husband, despite the challenges of his own recovery, remained a source of quiet encouragement. Dewald has become an enthusiastic gardener, Hanekom says with a smile. “When I come home now, he calls me to admire the work he’s done in the garden,” she says. “Luckily, he’s not a grumpy man. He’s very relaxed and good-natured.”

The support from her family helped Hanekom to remain focused. “I reminded myself of my goal. I wanted to finish what I had started.”

An achievement earned and shared

Hanekom says she will be “forever grateful” to the people who believed in her – from her father Stephen, who encouraged her despite her early struggles with self-confidence, to mentors and colleagues who supported her return to study. 

“I’ve always had issues believing in myself,” she says. “But the people who believed in me made all the difference. Prof Gerber and Prof Daniel Malan, my first line-manager at the Business School made me believe in myself. It gave my confidence a boost and the courage to continue my studies. 

“My colleague Esmari Huysamen was wonderful. She offered a safety net and told me, ‘you can do it!’ whenever I felt overwhelmed. I’m also very grateful towards my current line manager Prof Euan Phimister for his support.” 

Now, Hanekom hopes her story will encourage others who may hesitate to take a similar step. “Never let other people tell you who you are and what you can or cannot do,” she says. “Trust your abilities and go for it.”

After the graduation ceremony, Hanekom had a celebratory lunch with her husband, their two daughters and their partners – a simple but meaningful gathering to mark an extraordinary achievement.