A couple from the Eldorado Park area in Johannesburg, Kathryn and Edmund Haas, demonstrated that it is never too late to obtain a high school diploma, receiving their certificates at the beginning of this month. They reside in an area known as 'Old Eldos.'
Edmund, aged 50, and Kathryn, aged 51, had put away their school textbooks for over three decades when they learned about the pregnancy of their eldest daughter, now 32.
Speaking about it in an interview with IOL, the couple shared that early last year they saw a post on the social media platform Facebook about an adult graduation ceremony held in Menlyn, Cape Town. Kathryn mentioned that they were interested in a post about a woman around 56 years old who passed the exams with two or three distinctions. They decided they wanted the opportunity to repeat the certification process, which they had not had.
This post belonged to the 'Hopeful Leaders Night School,' an organization dedicated to educating adults to obtain a high school diploma. The organization has expanded its presence across Cape Flats, and numerous success stories were published on all platforms. After viewing this page, the couple saw an announcement about the start of registration in Clipsal, Gauteng.
Kathryn noted that they felt God heard them, and that the person who organized the training in Gauteng was divinely guided. They enthusiastically registered for the courses, where most subjects were taught by in-person teachers, and there were also support groups on WhatsApp and communities for collaborative learning.
As parents of two children and grandparents to two grandchildren, the couple was determined to complete unfinished business. Despite holding senior management positions in the corporate world, having a diploma had become a standard in the business environment. However, as they explained, it was a matter of the heart: 'We invested years in our children and the youth of our community, preaching the value of education and setting standards for self-esteem. We looked at each other and realized we could not preach what we ourselves had not gone through.'
The desire to obtain the diploma was also motivated by a wish to leave a legacy for their grandchildren. They wanted to show them that regardless of life's difficulties or the passage of time, anything can be achieved if one puts heart, faith, and hard work into it.
Although studying itself is not an easy task, mastering the material after so many decades might have seemed even more challenging. When asked how it felt to return to books after so many years, the couple described it as 'Wow, what a whirlwind! At first, it felt completely foreign. Returning to the academic environment pushed us far outside our comfort zone. Being the oldest students in the class brought laughter, but it turned into such an enriching adventure.'
Meanwhile, daily life continued, and their responsibilities did not decrease. The most difficult aspect for the couple was balancing life and study. Kathryn explained that it was a delicate balance: 'We have the joy and duty of caring for Edmund's 90-year-old mother at home, so distributing our duties and time between her care, running the household, family love, and maintaining the pace of demanding studies was not easy.'
Edmund joked that in a lighter tone, Kathryn had to sacrifice her favorite Netflix series.
The Haas couple stated that it was their faith and support system that made the journey worthwhile. They emphasized that realizing that the reward far exceeded any sacrifices made, and that they crossed the finish line together, proved that through God's unwavering grace, they could overcome any mountain as a team.
According to the couple, their main driving force was their closest people. They named their children—Tony, Sasha, Tyrik, and Noah—as their biggest cheerleaders, who supported them daily. They were also surrounded by the love of mother Cynthia, sisters Sam and Delise, and brothers Gerard and Keenan, who supported their spirit with constant calls and encouraging messages.
The couple also had the honor of attending their own graduation ceremony. They joke that they are now officially 'school sweethearts.' Having been together for almost 34 years, experiencing ups, downs, beautiful moments, and tough times, they believe that God has been the central thread holding their marriage strong and unbreakable. This academic journey undertaken side-by-side has only deepened their love and appreciation for each other.
The couple informed IOL that they put forth maximum effort for the final exam and wrote the last test on June 22, 2026, receiving official results on August 7. Kathryn proudly stated: 'My husband passed at the bachelor level, and I passed at the diploma level.'
The Haas couple is ready for the next stage. They stated that they will send out resumes and return to the corporate world with new energy, as they still have much passion, experience, and value they want to bring.
For those aspiring to undertake this academic journey, the Haas couple advises: 'Do it with all your heart! The feeling of pride, dignity, and personal satisfaction when you cross that finish line is priceless. It ignites a flame of self-esteem within you that no one can take away.'
