Photo for illustration only. (Photo: Archive)
Law is evidently part of the Botha family’s DNA.
Mother and daughter, Vanya and Anya-Larissa Botha, both received their Master of Laws (LLM) at Stellenbosch University (SU) this week.
One of their ancestors was also involved in the legal profession 200 years ago.
Vanya (55) is a magistrate in Cape Town and always wanted to do her LLM, but “life just happened”. The time was just never right, until her eldest daughter, Anya-Larissa (25), enrolled for her LLM and said it was possible to work and do the course at the same time.
Working students usually complete the course in two or three years, but Vanya decided to do it within a year with her daughter.
“It was frantic and I sometimes regretted my decision, but luckily I had the support of my loving family and was able to see it through.”
She adds that her husband took over the cooking duties during the year so that they could all finish their studies.
Anya-Larissa initially completed a BA degree in drama and theater studies, but the family’s love for the law prevailed and she decided to change course to an LLM with a focus on children’s rights.
“I have always been interested in law because I grew up in a household where my mother has been a magistrate for as long as I can remember.”
During her LLM studies, she had the opportunity to study for six months in Utrecht in the Netherlands. This was significant because her great-great-great-grandfather obtained his LLM at the same university in 1819.
Having done a few LLB subjects with her younger sister, Doné, during the latter’s second year of a B degree in accounting and law (BRekLLB), Anya-Larissa knew how rewarding it could be to work with a member studying the family.
“I was very excited when my mother decided to do her LLM with me. We have always been close. We always tell people we are not only mother and daughter, but also best friends.”
The two discussed their classwork during their evening walks and summarized their jurisprudence and journal articles together.
Vanya says Anya-Larissa’s support was invaluable when she had to adapt to the technical aspects of studying.
“For the first time in my life, I had to write an online exam and I also had to type my answers.”
Mother and daughter not only shared classes and their notes, but one of Vanya’s previous lecturers, prof. Sonia Human, taught their classes.
“It was wonderful to sit in the Old Main Building where 30 years ago I was a young student with stars in my eyes, but this time with my daughter.”
It is understandable that the two are proud of each other’s achievements. Anya-Larissa, who obtained her LLM degree cum laude, says her mother has always supported her and her sister’s dreams. Doné obtained her BRekLLB (cum laude) last year.
“It means a lot that I was able to graduate with my mother. She has always dreamed of completing her LLM and it’s great to know that I might have been able to play a role for a change in helping her achieve her dream.”
Anya-Larissa started her doctorate in law at SU this year.
Mother and daughter say father Marius should also get credit because he handled the household well while they were studying.
“My husband cooked for a year and I have to admit that he is a much better cook than me,” said Vanya.
“Our family was extremely excited about our graduation on March 31 and are very proud of us. They are the only people who know how many hours and hard work our degrees required and so they couldn’t wait to celebrate with us.”
