Daniel Ndlovu’s hard work has finally paid off.
The 28-year-old celebrated his graduation in style with his colleagues at the Linden restaurant The Fat Zebra. For the last few years, Ndlovu has been working full time to finally reach his goal.
This week, Ndlovu graduated with his Bachelor of Accounting degree at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and he has never been more proud.
“I have always had a love for numbers. My late aunt was an auditor and she was the one who made me fall in love with the occupation. I liked that she was in a financially stable profession and then when I researched some more I saw that there were a lot of opportunities in the field of Accountancy in different spaces like technology as well.”
Ndlovu is pursuing his goal to become a Chartered Accountant (CA) as it will open doors for him. After registering in 2016 to begin his course, Ndlovu managed to continue the course until his second year. He was faced with many challenges including paying for his tuition.
“I have been working part time at restaurants to support myself but by the end of 2017, I was owing the institution a lot of money and I couldn’t afford to continue with my studies so I had to drop out.”
The challenges did take a toll on him as he watched his peers moving on and finishing their courses before him but he continued to push. He spent the next two years trying to raise the funds he needed to finish his degree. In 2020, with the help of his work family at The Fat Zebra, his tuition was paid for.
“I was then able to register in 2020, finish some modules and then did my third year last year.”
Ndlovu said he never gave up on finally being able to finish his degree because he wanted to make his parents proud.
“I am the last born of six siblings in the family and I wanted them to be proud. I have always been good with my academics from primary school so I wanted to make sure this happens no matter what.”
Ndlovu is already taking the steps to secure his future, studying towards his Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences.
“After this I plan to do my articles and secure a training contract. I am praying to get a training contract soon.”
Ndlovu has this advice for students who may be struggling or are thinking of dropping out of their courses.
“I have always told myself to keep moving and never give up. Sometimes it gets hard but you have to focus on your journey. Look at yourself and not the world around you. It will be hard but you have to do what you have to do to make sure you secure your future and never give up.
When you do get to your goal you will see it is worth it at the end of the day.”