“I plan to do my articles next year, and this qualification will help me on my journey towards becoming a successful Chartered Accountant,” said Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting summa cum laude graduate Ms Aqila Sayed.
With a passion for working with numbers and problem-solving, Sayed says she decided to pursue a BCom in Accounting to equip her with practical skills and open her up to a wide range of career opportunities.
“I’ve naturally been inclined towards careers involving analysing financial information and understanding how businesses operate from a financial perspective,” said Sayed. “This qualification gives me the opportunity to further develop these skills while building a strong foundation for a career in Accounting. It also offers flexibility to explore different areas within the business world as well as opportunities overseas.”
She said the experience of obtaining the qualification was challenging and rewarding, requiring a high level of discipline and consistency.
“This degree revealed qualities in me I didn’t know I had! I now realise I am stronger than I think, and hard work definitely brings success. I had to adapt to a new way of working, which required a lot of self-studying beyond lectures on campus. It pushed me to move beyond simply memorising content to truly understanding and applying concepts in practical, scenario-based situations,” said Sayed.
She said having a supportive family and a strong faith also helped her get through.
“My family has supported me throughout my degree, and it has been a journey for them as much as one for me. My younger sister is currently studying Pharmacy at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and my youngest sister in high school also intends studying Accounting.
“My family are my biggest cheerleaders in life. I wouldn’t have made it without their love and support.”
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini