Twins, Divano and Diego, Graduates with Engineering Degrees

If you ever heard of Dura Flats in Atlantis, you’d hear stories of poverty, gangsterism and drugs. What you might not have heard of are the twins, Divano and Diego Blankenberg. You might not have heard about how they were raised by a single mom who did her best to turn her sons into the men any parent would have been proud of. You would not have heard how they rose above their circumstances, matriculated with distinctions, registered at Stellenbosch University  and this year, graduated with their degrees in engineering.

Dura Flats is a dangerous place to grow up in and for many kids, gangsterism seems like the only way to survive. As far as Audrey Blankenberg was concerned, this would not be her son’s story. When her husband died from liver failure, the twins were only 6 years old. Audrey, however, stepped up to the plate and took on the role of both mother and father, making sure that her kids had everything they needed. There were times when she did not have the money to, for example, send them on school outings but it was not for a lack of trying. But even during those times, she still made sure they had food on the table, a roof over their head and clothes on their backs. She also made sure they were always there for each other and understood that they were meant to achieve great things. These lessons were not in vain.

The twins looked out for each other, sharing everything they had, making sure that neither one had less than the other and neither one was left behind. And they had the drive that their mother instilled in them.

Starting in high school, they joined Stellenbosch University’s  Centre for Pedagogy Programme and its Talent Development Programme, which provided them with resources to improve their academic performance and prepare them for university. When they matriculated, they did so with distinction, allowing them the opportunity to be awarded bursaries and to register for degrees in Engineering at the very same university. 

At the end of March, 2026, the twins graduated with Divano receiving a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Diego with a degree in Mechatronic Engineering. They have already started with their Masters degrees, Divano in Mechanical Engineering and Diego in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering.

While they were studying, their mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She managed to overcome it and to them, the fact that she made it to their graduation, made the moment even more special. Even during her own struggles, she still made sure that her boys maintained their focus and drive. She wasn’t going to let cancer make them give up on their dreams. Their CV’s are still short and they have a long way to go but Audrey still has many more years left to make sure they remain focused and achieve greatness.