In 2017, after years of dedication and long study nights, she finally became a Chartered Accountant. Her articles were completed through KPMG, one of the most respected firms in the industry. On paper, her future should have been bright.
Armed with her qualification, she sent applications everywhere: the Auditor-General’s office, the South African Reserve Bank, NSFAS, even municipalities struggling to complete their financial statements. Every effort ended the same way — rejection. Not because of her skills or work ethic, but because she lacked the political connections that too often decide careers.
Faced with mounting bills and no professional prospects, she accepted a position as a security guard at Boxer Stores. It was honest work, but a painful reminder that years of study and sacrifice hadn’t opened the doors she’d hoped for.
Her story mirrors the frustration of many qualified South Africans whose talent goes unrecognised. When competence is overlooked in favour of connections, the whole country loses. There is no shortage of skilled professionals — what’s missing is a fair chance to contribute.