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Passion, Hard Work Is Key to Success

Passion, Hard Work Is Key to Success

“The moment I heard about this accomplishment I was shocked because I wasn’t expecting this achievement it came as a bonus to me and this is proof of my hard work. I feel humbled, actually I am speechless, no words can express my feeling right now, I am just over the moon,” said Mthokozisi Khumalo excitedly.

Those were the sentiments echoed by Khumalo, who had received Cum laude for his National Diploma (ND) in Accounting,  at the Pietermaritzburg Graduation ceremony at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Midlands Campus last Thursday, 26 April 2018 at 10am.

Also known as ‘Dr Smith’, the 22-year-old Edendale resident always knew this was his choice of study since he had a great passion of figures.

His academic journey began in 2013 after matriculating at Nondenisa Secondary School.  In 2014, he was accepted at the Durban University of Technology to study ND: Accounting. “My journey wasn’t easy as people may think. I finished my first year level in 2014, but unfortunately due to lack finances, I wasn’t able to access my results until January 2015. It didn’t end there because in 2015 I had to drop out from my studies due to financial constraints. I then had to wait until 2016 to receive financial assistance from NSFAS, to continue studying and from then I’ve never looked back. In 2016, I was voted top performing student for semester 1 and semester 2,” he said proudly.

Khumalo is thankful to all his lecturers, tutors, Mr T Blose (Maths teacher at Nondenisa Secondary School), his family, school mates and Head of Department DR C Nyide, for all their input in helping him persevere with his studies.

On achieving cum laude, Khumalo stressed that thanks to his passion of excellence, that motivated him and became his greatest inspiration He also said that his personal background played a vital role, because he wanted to proof to everybody that anything is possible regardless of where one comes from,” he said.

According to Khumalo, the road to success has its ups and downs.

“The toughest part was when I had to study without financial assistance; it really was discouraging as it also affected my academic performance. The second part was in 2015, the time I had to admit to myself that I have to drop out from my studies. Even though it was tough, I kept telling myself, “nothing is permanent,” he added.

Currently, Khumalo is employed on a one year contract as an intern at the KZN Provincial Treasury. In terms of furthering his career, he intends pursuing with continuous learning programmes . “I am in the process of enrolling for an advanced Diploma in Management Accounting and within five years, I would like to become the very best management accountant in South Africa, and Accounting expert that others can rely on,” he said proudly.

His message to other aspiring Accounting students is to let one’s passion for figures lead the way, and with hard work, that strategy of success will be achieved.

Pictured: Mthokozisi  Khumalo

Waheeda Peters

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