Graduating with the Class of 2024 held special meaning for Sarika Govender, a Student Relations Navigator at IIE-Vega Durban for the past 13 years. She was one of 163 students – including 23 from IIE-Vega’s Online Centre – who received their qualifications through the Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) at IIE-Vega Durban’s recent graduation ceremony. For Govender, it marked the end of a four-year journey shaped by personal commitment, national challenges and unwavering resilience.
“This was a deeply personal achievement for me. I didn’t get the Grade 12 pass I needed for a Bachelor’s degree, so I studied hairdressing and beauty therapy. But I soon realised it wasn’t the right fit for me,” said Govender.
She began working in higher education - first at IIE Varsity College, then later moving to IIE-Vega Durban as a Student Relations Navigator (SRN), a role focused on supporting and guiding students through their academic journeys. IIE-Vega and IIE Varsity College are educational brands of The IIE.
“Being in an educational space reignited my desire to study and grow. I tried studying through the University of South Africa (Unisa) for two years, but it felt like a mountain I couldn’t climb. When IIE-Vega launched its Online Centre, I saw my opportunity. I enrolled in the IIE Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Brand Communication (Distance) in 2020”.
At the time, Govender was 38 years old, a working mother and wife, and determined to succeed. “My husband and daughter were incredibly supportive. With online learning, I had the flexibility I needed. Classes were held in the evenings, which meant I could come home, cook, study and spend time with my family. It was well-tailored for a working adult”.
But the journey was far from smooth. Just one month into her studies, South Africa went into lockdown due to COVID-19.
Walking the stage to accept her IIE Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Brand Communication (Distance) degree at IIE-Vega Durban’s recent graduation ceremony held special meaning for Sarika Govender (pictured). It marked the end of a four-year journey shaped by personal commitment, national challenges and unwavering resilience.
“I thought I could wing it, but I quickly realised that wasn’t going to work. I had to create a strict timetable for myself to balance family, work and study time. I was working from home during the day, running a household, attending to my family and attending online classes at night. It taught me discipline and time management”.
In July 2021, Govender faced another challenge: the widespread unrest in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma. The protests and looting shook communities, disrupted daily life and led to the loss of approximately 353 lives.
“Phoenix, where I live, was one of the hardest hit areas. People were scared. I had to stay strong - for my family, my students and myself. It was a frightening time and we were all just trying to survive,” she recalled.
Less than a year later, KZN was devastated again - this time by severe flooding in April 2022. Yet through it all, Govender stayed focused.
“What kept me going was knowing that I was doing this for me. It wasn’t about financial gain or a better job. I wanted to prove to myself that I could achieve something I had once thought was out of reach”.
Govender said the support of her family and the flexibility of the IIE-Vega Online Centre made all the difference. “Even if I missed a class, I could catch up with the recordings. The platform gave me the safety net I needed”.
Her advice to other online or mature students? “Use every tool available - watch the class recordings, do the readings, make a timetable. Chip away at your workload daily. It’s possible if you’re consistent”.
Govender also believes her qualification has enhanced her role as an SRN. “I can now better understand students’ challenges and the subject matter they’re grappling with. It’s helped me communicate with more empathy and intentionality. What I’ve gained from this degree has come back to me tenfold”.
During her time as a student, Govender participated in IIE-Vega’s Brand Activation and Brand Challenge, both of which gave her real world industry exposure. Looking back, she said studying later in life gave her a different perspective.
“I needed time to grow into who I wanted to be. I’m one of those people who didn’t know what they wanted in their thirties. Now, I know. And that clarity makes all the difference”.
Next on her study journey? She’s setting her sights on the IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Instructional Design (Distance) - a qualification that equips individuals from education, corporate learning and design backgrounds to plan and deliver user centred learning experiences.