Changing Faces: Chartered Accountant/Investment Associate

Where did you grow up and how was your childhood like?
I grew up in a small town in the Eastern Cape. Hardly anything happens in my small town, lived in the "ghetto" till I was about 11, then moved to a better area and moved to a private school at the same time. That's when you could say my life changed. 

What do you now?

I'm a Chartered Accountant by profession, and work as an Investment Associate for a development fund.

We look into funding black entrepreneurs, enter into untapped markets and find solutions for need (infrastructure development, education etc.) in Africa.

What did you study and are you using it at all in your current role?

I did a Bachelor of Accounting Science at Wits, went the CA route and qualified as a CA in December 2013. I use aspects of what I studied, but I had to learn a lot of what I do on the job. I also decided to study further to better my understanding of Development Finance. 

How long have you been working and what do you miss about not working (i.e. being a full time student) 
I've been working for 4 years now (this being my fifth year). I miss the lack of responsibility that comes with being a student. It was OK to not have money, and you didn't have to spend your entire life thinking about career progression. 

If I could have a do over of university though, I would be less hard on myself. I would have made more friends, made more memories. I would have tried harder to find this "balance" people kept talking about. 

Sounds like what you lost in balance you won in getting ahead, now, I'm sure a lot has changed since then, How would you describe your typical day at the office?

My typical work day involves status meetings with clients/ my bosses in the morning. Then analysis of market trends and trends in investments.  I do sight visits on average twice a week.

Do you encounter any challenges that specifically come with being a young black woman in corporate SA?

Every day is a struggle. Between convincing yourself that you are good enough,that you deserve to be here, that it's not about some "employment equity" score (which your white counterparts will remind you of from time to time)

You have to be better at everything, just to be considered average. And when you make a mistake (which I have made countless times), it can feel like the whole world is against you. 

But I've learnt to take it on my stride, we are a culture and a people that are made to overcome. This melanin represents the strength! 

Lastly, three tips for people keen to join your line of work?

Be clear on why you want to become a chartered accountant. Spend time thinking about what you want to do after you qualify. This will help you in remembering why you started when the going gets tough.
Don't be afraid to fail, and don't be so hard on yourself. Don't be afraid to start over. It's scary and you may feel like a failure at times, but finding what makes you tick makes it worth it.

Be kind, all the time. Humility and compassion will open doors for you. Be damn good at what you do, but show up every day with kindness. People will notice.