CA Hopefuls Graduate Top of Their Class

BY: .

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) summa cum laude graduates Mr Arjun Nandlal and Ms Suwayfa Abdul Karrim consider the honour of being top of their class as just fruits for all the hard work they put into their studies. 

Nandlal, who received the Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarship awarded to the five top-ranked undergraduates proceeding from first-year to second-year study in each of UKZN’s four Colleges in 2016, says graduating with distinction is his best ever academic achievement. 

‘The sheer amount of time, effort, determination and other related aspects necessary simply to pass this degree are daunting,’ said Nandlal. ‘Difficulties aside, it is very gratifying to receive a satisfactory set of results and to see the culmination of one’s efforts result in graduating summa cum laude,’ he said. 

Nadlal is currently studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting on the path towards becoming a Chartered Accountant. 

‘The CA (SA) qualification is regarded as one of the best in the world in its field, owing partly to SAICA’s stringent requirements in relation to becoming, and remaining, a CA (SA),’ he said. ‘The qualification is also quite flexible and allows for many possible options in commerce and related professional fields. Therefore, Chartered Accountants are often in high demand, both locally and internationally.’ 

Karrim, who was awarded the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship in 2017, says she is grateful that she could make her late mother proud. 

‘My mum, who had always been my motivation, passed on when I was 16 and I am really grateful to my dad and my sister who always ensured I was given all the emotional support I needed. I worked extremely hard throughout my qualification, which never went unrecognised at UKZN,’ she said. 

Her achievements include being placed in the Top three for Accounting at the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) awards, a ceremony held by the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance in partnership with SAICA to celebrate its top achievers. 

‘I am currently completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting that will enable me to write the SAICA ITC exam which I am hoping to pass. After that, I will complete my training contract on the road to becoming a CA,’ she said. 

Words: Thandiwe Jumo