​​​During the recent University of Johannesburg (UJ) BCom Accounting graduation ceremony at the Kingsway Campus, Wendy Baloyi obtained her BCom Accounting degree Cum laude.

“Credit needs to go to our lecturers, who go out of their way to ensure that the quality of education we receive is of a high standard. They also put in a lot of time and effort in the manner in which they deliver the content/course material to us,” says top achieving graduate.

She is currently studying Bridging Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (BCTA), a course that will earn her entry into the highly recognised chattered accounting qualification.

Baloyi, from Polokwane, Limpopo, has lived in the province for the most part of her life. She attended primary school at Prenora Primary School, which is situated in Seshego. She then moved to Project for the Establishment of Primary and Pre-Primary Schools (PEPPS), also in Polokwane, where completed her matric. She came to UJ to pursue her academic dreams in the commercial stream.

Baloyi describes her academic career at UJ as a dynamic one; filled with challenges and a triumph she will cherish her entire life, she says. In her first year (2012), when she was hospitalised and went for an operation during test week, missing a couple of lectures, she went against a doctor’s advice wrote sick tests.

Her biggest challenge: “I lost my father in the month of March in my third year, but the life I shared with him had truly inspired me to do and be great. Overall, I’ve had my fair share of challenges, but I have persevered.”

This Cum Laude graduate shows no signs of slowing down. Her future plans include completing the CTA qualification and hopefully start her own practice after accumulating industry knowledge. She hopes to help to develop young minds in rural areas to promote proper education.

Wendy attributes her success to God: “He is the reason why I have come this far. He shall be the One recognized first before all.