"Grandma’s hands picked me up each time I fell…" – Bill Withers

In the tender, soulful lyrics of Bill Withers’ Grandma’s Hands, we hear more than just a song – we hear a story of strength, sacrifice, and the silent support that shapes generations. For Tshepiso Letsoalo, a recent cum laude graduate from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), those lyrics mirror her own life.

Tshepiso Letsoalo and her family following her graduation at the University of the Western Cape on 10 April 2025. (L-R) Moyagabo Maria Letsoalo ( grandmother), Mahlogonolo Letsoalo ( youngest brother), Tshepiso Moyagabo Letsoalo, Makoma Anna Letsoalo (grandmother) and Welhemina Letsoalo ( mother).

Her journey at UWC has been one of personal growth and a living tribute to her grandmother’s hands that held her steady. Letsoalo comes from a long line of educators. Her grandmother, Moyagabo Maria Letsoalo, was a primary school teacher and acting principal and her late grandfather was a high school teacher. Her mother is a lecturer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU).

Even her great-grandfather, who could not pursue formal education due to financial hardship, made it his mission to ensure his children went to school.

This deep-rooted respect for education has been passed down like a cherished heirloom.

“In our family, we believe education might not give you everything, but it gives you a solid start. It gives you direction and opens up opportunity,” said the 21-year-old.

On campus, she blossomed. But behind her success were quiet struggles – the challenges of being raised by a single mother, fluctuating finances, and the constant pressure of supporting herself and her younger brother.

“My mother sacrificed a lot – from my tuition to monthly living expenses – often stretching what little we had to keep both the household and my studies afloat,” she recalled. “Even when bursaries assumed we had more than we did, she made a plan.”

Despite it all, Tshepiso graduated cum laude – a powerful testament to the strength and support of the women who raised her.

Her grandmother’s influence runs through every chapter of her academic story. “She’s like a second mom to me. Strict, loving, always encouraging. Especially when things get hard – she’s there with comforting words and firm belief in my potential,” she said.

Her grandmother, who returned to school to complete matric at 25 after raising three children, modelled resilience. “She taught me that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Her story reminds me to keep going, no matter the obstacles.”

It wasn’t just words that inspired Tshepiso, but traditions too. A family graduation ceremony at her great-grandparents’ home, where everyone dressed in academic regalia, sparked a fire in her heart. “That day, I knew I wanted to be part of that celebration. And now I am.”

Now, as she sets her sights on a Master’s degree – required to become a registered psychologist under the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) – new challenges arise. Her younger brother is heading to university, and the family’s financial pressure has doubled.

“I may need to take a gap year or apply for a loan. My mom can’t afford both of us. But I’ve come this far, and I know I’ll finish this journey – just like my grandmother did.”

Her achievements are already inspiring the younger members of her family. “My cousins now aim for cum laude too. That makes me proud to know I’m a role model. That’s the legacy my grandmother started, and I’m just continuing the story.”

Much like the spirit in Bill Withers’ Grandma’s Hands, Tshepiso’s story is one of quiet, determined love – the kind that shapes lives in classrooms, at kitchen tables, and through long, encouraging phone calls.

At UWC, her success isn’t just a degree. It’s a symbol of generational resilience – and the power of one woman’s hands to change the course of a family.