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Economic Management Sciences
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More than just a numbers game
umma cum laude BCom Accounting graduate Aveshin Govender says he treats his studies like a job – one that starts at 8am and ends at 5pm each day. Port Elizabeth-born Govender is just one of the many success stories originating from UWC’s Department of Accounting. But despite a long-nursed interest in accounting, Govender had not taken the subject at school. He started his studies at UWC with the BCom General course, but soon made the change to BCom Accounting. He describes the move as the right decision at the right time. “The foundation course here at UWC played a major role in my success – it laid a solid base to make up for the fact that I did not do accounting at school, and helped me reach my Honours year,” he says. Govender puts in lots of hard work, mostly, he confides, because he doesn’t want to disappoint his parents. “My parents giving me this chance to study was motivating in itself and when I work and see the results I achieve, it gives me the confidence to continue,” he says. He also credits accounting lecturer, Ronald Arendse, for playing an important role in his success. “UWC is truly one of a kind; lecturers like Arendse are supportive and this is crucial when you want to achieve,” he says. Govender believes that students who want to do well should treat their studies like an 8-to-5 job. “When you arrive at campus at 8am, you work until it’s 5pm. This does not mean that you can slack at home – you still need to put in those extra hours to achieve good results,” he says. Furthermore, Govender notes that the honours programme demands that students take their commitment to the next level, and that it requires hard work from the get-go. He goes on to provide advice for students who want to enjoy the same kind of success as he has: “Work from the start and work consistently. In this way you are not that pressured when exams arrive. Always attend lectures this is what makes studying much easier.”
In all, Aveshin Govender won a total of five awards at the Department of Accounting’s and Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Dean’s Honours Awards.
Accounting graduate Bonginhlanhla Msimango is closer to his dream
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Bonginhlanhla Msimango is one of many students from the Department of Accounting who serve as inspiration to others.
WC’s Bonginhlanhla Msimango showed his fellow students, his lecturers and others that it is possible to receive your degree in minimum time, even if you took Mathematical Literacy as a subject at high school. Born in Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal, Msimango attended the Mahlabathini High School, where he excelled in Accounting, achieving an 82% aggregate for the subject at the end of his matric year. And even though the school did not offer Mathematics and he was obliged to take Maths Literacy instead, he was determined to study accounting, inspired by his matric accounting teacher, Mr Khumalo. He maintained that passion over the course of his studies at UWC, this time mentored by accounting lecturer Roland Arendse. Upon registration at UWC, he participated in the Pilot Thuthuka programme, which guides students through their first year of accounting studies. “This programme really helped me a lot,” says Msimango. “It shows you how to work in a team, solve problems, believe in yourself and it guides you through your journey.” And now his career holds loads of promise. He is due to do his articles at the respected accounting firm Ernst & Young in Johannesburg, and will start next year after completing his honours and Board 1 examination. “Accounting is my first love, it is my passion, and I always wanted to become a chartered accountant,” says Msimango. “Now that I am in my Honours year, I am closer to my dream.” Msimango is not only a full-time student, but also volunteered to mentor and tutor other students. “I saw the gap between high school and tertiary level, and many students need guidance during their first year. I was one of those students and this was my reason for becoming a mentor.” He says he enjoyed tutoring thoroughly and he was happy to offer his services to students who want to enjoy success. ‘Being a tutor gives you a platform to grow. This helped me with public speaking and other things such as planning and working under pressure, which comes in handy when you are an honours student.” Msimango echoed the sentiments of fellow honours student Aveshin Govender, by saying that you need to keep your wits about you during this particular year of honours study. He says that even though the workload is substantially greater than the workload in undergrad, he will achieve the best results possible. Msimango urges students to be patient during their time of study and not to be discouraged by setbacks. “At some point everyone has failed something, but what differentiates you from others is your perseverance and your drive to succeed. Use your failures as motivation to succeed and have the right mind-set, those are key when wanting to succeed.”