It’s not every kid who gets to attend school with their mom, but this Kraaifontein youngster says he doesn’t mind.
48-year-old Lancia Coetzee and her son Jeninio Coetzee, 21, attend Northlink College in Bellville, where they both started in 2017.
The mom is completing her matric and Level 4 in Hospitality this year, while her son is studying Tourism.
The single mom of three says she went to apply for her son to study tourism and inspiration hit.
“As we waited, I asked the consultant if I could also apply. I just decided on the spot,” she said.
She was told it would be tough.
.INSPIRING: Lancia Coetzee
Lancia, who dropped out in Grade 10, successfully applied for a bursary to complete her Level 4 Hospitality course.
Last year she passed with two distinctions, beating her son who unfortunately failed the year.
“I really look up to her and learn a lot from her because after all these years, she went back to college and decided to finish her studies. I’ve never seen a woman her age who still wants to finish school.”
Lancia worked as a cleaner at GF Jooste Hospital seven years ago, taking the 5am train to Manenberg daily, but she left her job when her father had a stroke.
“I left work to take permanent care of my father who is now 87. My mother is 73 and needed help with my dad,” she says.
“When he got better, I felt the need to equip myself to find new work, but then I got bitten by the learning bug and went that way instead.”
She is currently unemployed, must still pay her son’s tuition fees and also raises her 18-year-old daughter who is in Grade 11.
She is also ouma to a three-year-old from her 28-year-old son.
MATRIC BALL: Fairy Godmother Laylah Zokufa Khan is helping
Lancia’s class is having a “matric ball” this year and she would love to go, but can’t afford it.
“I’m the eldest in my class and most students call me aunty, at first it was offensive, but I got used to it,” she laughs.
The Daily Voice called on the help of Fairy Godmother Laylah Zokufa Khan, 26, from Mitchells Plain, who met Lancia on Wednesday.
“I can feel her desire and drive to be successful.
Lancia deserves to look like a queen for her matric ball, it’s her first time and I’ll make sure she looks amazing,” says Laylah, who immediately started preparations for the event taking place in October.