A difficult year proved to be no obstacle for Hannah Kirkwood. The cherry on top was being selected to deliver a speech at her graduation ceremony and receiving a standing ovation.
Hannah was selected out of more than 100 students to deliver the speech on 7 April 2022 at Regenesys Business School in Sandton, where she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management. She completed a BA degree in Business Administration at the same institution in 2019.
Hannah, who is the Acting Office Manager in the Office of MMC: Group Corporate and Shared Services, was nervous but also overjoyed when she took to the podium. She broke the ice with a melody: “We are graduates at Regenesys. Oh yes, we’ve made it. Oh, that’s fantastic. Come on graduates, yes you’ve made it!”
Throughout her speech, she praised the students for persevering through difficult times. The Covid-19 pandemic continued unabated, some people lost loved ones and others jobs, and loadshedding was also a challenge for online learning.
Hannah was also confronted with obstacles and at some point wanted to quit her studies. She contracted the Coronavirus in July 2021 and didn’t think she’ll survive. She also developed blood clots. Her recovery process was difficult and she lost her brother to Covid-19.
“I didn’t feel like carrying on. It was the worst and darkest moment of my life,” she says.
Her husband, Kurt, motivated her to stay in the course. “Here I’m with my certificate and to think I wanted to give it all up.”
Her eight-year-old son, John, was another great supporter. When she was worried about tests and assignments, he would say, “don’t worry mommy, you’ll pass”.
Hannah’s number one inspiration is her late father, who was strict on education. She also says she got her stamina for staying the course from watching her workaholic mom who only rests when she goes to bed. And she adds that the Lord has eased her load. “God has carried me through the most difficult and challenging times of my life. He has been great. It wasn’t my own strength. It was from above.”
One thing she’s learned from the pandemic is not to wait for special moments, but to create them.
As a result of her outstanding administrative skills, Hannah was named Office Professional of the Year for 2016 by the Association for Office Professionals of South Africa (OPSA).
She joined the City in 2010 as an Administrative Assistant in Environmental Health before moving to Transport as executive secretary to the Finance Director. The Former Group Head: Group Governance then headhunted her to serve as Personal Assistant in his office.
Her mottos in life is: “Go after what you want. Run after it and put in the effort. The rewards of hard work are immense.”
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
22/04/2022