​​​​​When 83-year-old Antoinette Swart received her PhD in Ancient Cultures this week, it was the sixth degree she had obtained from Stellenbosch University (SU).

Swart, who believes one can never stop learning, said it felt “unreal" to have obtained her PhD at such a grand age. 

“I didn't really intend to do another degree, but was persuaded to do so by two friends, who are professors at Stellenbosch University. I thought about it and decided, 'well, why not?'," she said in an interview. 

Swart, who stays in George, lives by the motto “Carpe Diem" and believes one should make the most of all opportunities “to the best of your ability". “It takes time and perseverance but the rewards are never-ending." 

Her PhD studies saw her visiting Persepolis (the ancient ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire) in Iran twice to study the remains of the monuments there, an experience she described as “amazing". 

“I have a vivid imagination so I was able to resurrect all the columns that had fallen down …" 

Swart, who matriculated from Rustenburg High in North West at the age of 16, always dreamt of studying at Stellenbosch, after listening to the stories her father – a former Matie – told her as a child. 

She obtained her first degree from SU in 1957, when she graduated with a BSc (Botany and Zoology). This was followed by a BSc (Hons) cum laude (Botany) in 1958, and an MSc (Botany) in 1960. In 2011, she received a BPhil (Bible Interpretation) and in 2013, at the age of 75, she obtained her MPhil (Bible Interpretation) cum laude. She also holds two post-graduate diplomas – in library science and higher education respectively – from UNISA. 

“There's no end to the fountain of knowledge and so much to learn," said Swart, whose mother described her as a “professional student". 

Her love for academia stems from her mother's influence. “Despite her difficult childhood, she filled our house with books and classical music. I'm sure that's where it all started." 

As a young graduate, Swart worked as a junior lecturer in Botany at SU before taking a position as a technical research officer at the Fruit Research Station in Stellenbosch. While her husband was furthering his studies at the Agricultural Campus of the University of Toronto, she worked as a research assistant in the Botany Department. She was a full-time mother for about ten years before starting a career in education. She taught Biology at Grey College in Bloemfontein and at Afrikaans Girls' High in Pretoria and then became a senior lecturer in Botany at CEFT (College of Education for Further Training) and acting lecturer in the Didactics of Biology at UNISA for six months. She stopped working when her husband retired but was an active volunteer at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town for years. 

Swart said she found it difficult to say what her favourite degree has been: “The three degrees which involved in-depth research definitely stand out," she said. 

A highlight of her academic career was researching for her MSc in Botany where she spent many days behind a microscope studying cells. Another highlight was researching for her MPhil in Bible Interpretation, “Let the Windows Speak", which involved looking at how the biblical stories in the stained-glass windows in three medieval cathedrals in France and three in England conveyed their message to mainly illiterate audiences. 

“Another highlight was the long journey into antiquity for my PhD which fused my interest in history and art," she said. 

Asked what is next for her, Swart said she hoped to become a co-author of a few articles with her granddaughter, Elanij Swart, who received her PhD in Biblical Archaeology from UNISA just a few days before her grandmother received her PhD. 

She also intends to classify her extensive collection of shells from all over the world and to write her memoirs “on request of my grandchildren". 

When she is not studying, Swart loves to travel, read and listen to classical music as well as to spend time with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “I want to enjoy life while it lasts. Once the day is over it never returns."