Academic, 55, shows age is just a number!

Academic, 55, shows age is just a number!

The Herald (South Africa), 24 Apr 2023, Roslyn Baatjies

LOOK OF LOVE: Selwyn Milborrow and his wife, Sharon Liberty

Gqeberha poet and author Selwyn Milborrow is the embodiment of the belief that it is never too late to pursue your dreams. He started his studies in 2019 at the age of 52 and received his BA (general) degree in 2021. Last week, he graduated from Nelson Mandela University with an honours degree in Afrikaans and Dutch. And the journey does not end there, because he is now pursuing his master’s degree.

The 55-year-old university admin co-ordinator’s story is a powerful reminder that age is not a barrier to learning and personal growth. Despite initial concerns about his ability to keep up with younger students, he persevered and found that his life experience and maturity gave him a unique perspective and a valuable advantage in the lecture hall.

As a student who is decades older than my peers and old enough to be their parent, my experience in the classroom has been both challenging and rewarding.,” he said. Initially, I felt intimidated by the age gap, but I quickly realised that being surrounded by younger students is an opportunity to learn from them and gain fresh perspectives. As someone who considers myself to be ‘ old school’, I sometimes find myself stuck in my ways. However, being around younger students has helped me to stay current and openminded. It’s fascinating to see how they approach problems and come up with innovative solutions that I might not have considered. ”

Milborrow's academic pursuits were not without challenges as he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease which affects the colon. His illness not only strengthened his resolve to continue pursuing his academic dreams, but also gave him a new perspective on life. I realised that every moment should be cherished, and I refused to let my illness defeat me, ” he said.

“With the love and support of my wife, Sharon Liberty, I underwent two operations that saved my life. I was able to pursue my academic dreams. My story has touched the hearts of many and serves as a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible. My illness has also taught me a lot about perseverance. There were times when I felt like giving up, but I had to find the strength to keep going, even when it seemed impossible. This kind of perseverance is inspiring and can serve as an example to others facing their own challenges.”

His inspiring journey serves as a testament to the power of love and determination in the face of adversity. In a Facebook post, Liberty wrote about her husband’s achievements. I look at you and I stand amazed. There was a time when you were so sick that studying seemed impossible. But look what the Lord has done. I love you and I am so proud of you,” she wrote.

Milborrow's journey is not just about achieving academic success, it is about overcoming the challenges that life throws at you and coming out stronger on the other side. Life is unpredictable, and we never know what tomorrow may bring,” he said. But we should never let our dreams die, no matter what obstacles we face. With determination and hard work, anything is possible.”

In addition to pursuing a PhD in literature and aiming to become a professor, Milborrow is also writing a book on his life. It focuses on the challenges I’ve faced throughout my life, from overcoming illness to pursuing my dream of becoming an academic and an author. The book is titled The Look of Life, which is a play on the Burt Bacharach song, The Look of Love. The lyrics contain the line, ‘The look of life is in your eyes, a look your smile cannot disguise.’ This line resonated with me deeply when my wife visited me in the hospital and looked at me with a love and hope that I had never seen before. It gave me the strength to keep going and inspired the title of my book.

Through my writing, I hope to share my experiences and inspire others to overcome their challenges and pursue their passions. Life can be difficult and unpredictable, but with perseverance and a positive attitude, “anything is possible. I believe we all have the potential to achieve greatness, and I hope my story can serve as a source of motivation and inspiration to others,” Milborrow said.