A shared stage, a shared story

The recent University of Cape Town (UCT) autumn graduation celebrated many milestones, including a mother and daughter crossing the stage one day apart – Dr Rakiya Saidu graduated on Monday, 31 March and Aisha Yahaya on Tuesday, 1 April. It was a celebration of sacrifice, culminating in a special moment shared between the two that left a fond memory.

For Dr Rakiya Saidu, a specialist gynaecologist, and her daughter, Aisha, a Bachelor of Fine Art graduate, sharing this moment marked the pinnacle of an extraordinary journey. It defied expectations and deepened their relationship beyond the traditional parent–child dynamic.

While their academic fields are vastly different – medicine and visual art – their time as UCT students ran parallel, sometimes intersecting at registration lines, on shuttle rides, or during late nights preparing for exhibitions and submissions.

Rakiya’s decision to pursue a PhD at UCT was not a spur-of-the-moment one. UCT wasn’t just a choice; it was something much more. Under the mentorship of the late Professor Lynette Denny, she found more than academic guidance – she found a catalyst for a lifelong dream.

“The pursuit of a PhD was a long-standing dream.”

“The pursuit of a PhD was a long-standing dream. When I came to UCT for subspecialist training in gynaecology oncology, I saw an opportunity to fulfil this aspiration. It was a destination where my academic ambitions could truly take root,” she said.

Aisha enrolled in the fine arts programme at UCT’s Hiddingh campus, and when she found out they would both be graduating in the same cycle, she described it as “surprising and exciting”.

“My mom had started her PhD while I was still in high school,” Aisha said. “It wasn’t surprising we’d be studying at the same university, but I always thought she would graduate before me.”

Mutual inspiration and perseverance

Aisha recalled how much her mother inspired her throughout her degree.

“Seeing how hard she worked and how much belief she had in herself motivated me. Even when she wanted to give up, she didn’t. That pushed me to do the same,” she noted.

“I faced intense financial pressure due to my PhD funding running out, meaning I had to pay for it. This, along with added household expenses like finding suitable accommodation in a safe neighbourhood, compounded by the school fees for three children and an unrelenting schedule, added extra pressure to my circumstances,” Rakiya explained. “Sleepless nights, missed social occasions, and family emergencies made the road tough. But with the support of my family, especially my children, I pushed through.”

While their worlds differed, they often found themselves leaning on each other emotionally and academically. Aisha, now pursuing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, described their dynamic as a healthy synergised relationship. “Even when she wanted to give up, she didn’t. That pushed me to do the same,” Aisha said.

“She helped me with research, and I helped her with exhibition setups. She’s an artist in her own right,” Rakiya added.

A unique bond, strengthened by experience

The experience of being students together made them more than mother and daughter; they have now become partners, cementing the mother–child bond even more.

“We’ve become intellectual peers and true confidants,” Rakiya said. “Graduating together was more than individual achievement; it was a family triumph.”

Aisha concurred: “It strengthened our bond. We related to each other a lot more because of our shared experiences. I really enjoyed talking about our different campuses: Groote Schuur and Hiddingh.”

One particularly touching moment came just before graduation: “My mom bought us matching dresses, even though I didn’t end up wearing mine. The thought meant everything.”

Learning from each other's disciplines

Though their academic disciplines could not be more different, the creative spirit flowed both ways. Rakiya explained how her daughter’s artistic view helped her rethink research challenges. Conversely, her medical training helped Aisha with analytical thinking during research projects.

“Her creativity taught me to approach problems with flexibility and imagination,” said Rakiya. “We learned that knowledge isn’t confined to one discipline, but part of an interconnected tapestry.”

Celebrating legacy and looking forward

Rakiya’s PhD focuses on cervical cancer prevention in Africa, a subject close to her heart. “The continent faces real challenges in women’s health. I want to develop accessible screening methods and raise awareness in underserved communities.”

Aisha believes that teaching and art will go hand in hand. “I want to teach visual art and continue to exhibit my work.”

The two celebrated their graduation by hosting two family lunches. “I still haven’t chosen my graduation gift to myself,” Aisha said candidly.

Rakiya had a special message for parents wanting to pursue their dreams: “Go for it without hesitation. Your dreams don’t have an expiration date.”

Aisha shared her mother’s sentiment, encouraging more families to embrace the idea of studying together. “We understood each other in a way we couldn’t have otherwise.”