Prenesha Singh is proof that setbacks don’t have to stop you. From delayed degrees to an international career, she turned doubt into drive. After qualifying as a Professional Accountant (SA) through SAIPA, she now helps global clients navigate compliance — with clarity, empathy, and excellence. Her story is a masterclass in resilience, communication, and quiet leadership.

Koleka Lungu knows numbers — but more importantly, she knows what they mean. With 10+ years in finance, she turns data into insight, helping leaders make better decisions. From her surprise promotion to coaching new team members, Koleka’s career is a quiet masterclass in stepping up, even when no one’s asking. Her story is a reminder: leadership doesn’t need a title — just impact.

“I started my BCom at 27. At 33, I qualified and got promoted.”

Talent Manyonga isn’t just a Management Accountant; she’s living proof that determination beats deadlines. At RCL Foods, she uses data tools like Power BI and SQL to drive cost savings and strategic insights. Off the clock? She’s mentoring, writing kids’ books on financial literacy, and even making her own dresses. Her journey is raw, real, and a reminder: it’s never too late to rise.

“I had to remind myself: I was hired for a reason.”

Tinisha Naicker, CA(SA), knows what it means to be the youngest in the room—and still drive the conversation. As a Senior Commercial Analyst, she’s rewriting the script on what financial operations look like: real-time insights, strategic alignment, and a bold mindset shift that turned hesitation into authority. From walking Umhlanga’s coastline to mentoring her team with purpose, Tinisha brings both sharp thinking and soft leadership to every table she sits at.

Ronaldo wakes up at 4:50am — not because he has to, but because he wants to. With an Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing and just a few years in the game, he’s already thinking like an owner, not just an employee.

Driven by the dream of building his own firm, Ronaldo is cutting his teeth by spotting compliance gaps, strengthening audit findings, and supporting his team with sharp thinking and solid evidence.

“Imposter syndrome almost held me back — until I remembered how far I’ve come.”

From journaling before dawn to mentoring final-year students, Diva Ugbobuaku is proving that passion, persistence, and purpose are a winning formula. She’s not just doing her SAIPA articles, she’s building a legacy, one ledger at a time.

"I’m a night owl who starts the day with prayer, coffee, and purpose."

From high school accounting classes to standing on a beach with her dad celebrating her CA(SA) results, Aadilah’s journey is rooted in discipline, mentorship, and a love for numbers. She leads audit teams with sharp planning, calm under pressure, and a commitment to quality.

Biggest lesson? "You are your only limit."

Her leadership mantra? “Believe in yourself. You’ll never fail if you put your best foot forward.”

“They said I was too young. I proved them wrong.”

Unathi Mhlanga isn’t waiting for the title, she’s already doing the work. At 23, she runs her department, mentors her team, and trains entrepreneurs. Her journey? Built on late nights, a single mother’s influence, and the fire to earn her CA(SA).

From being dismissed because of her age to landing deals with industry giants, Unathi’s story is a blueprint in resilience and results.

This is what leadership looks like, raw, relentless, and rising.

"I almost gave up in 2020."

When Anish Kooverjee failed his honours year, becoming a CA(SA) felt out of reach. But instead of quitting, he doubled down, balancing work, studies, and the chaos of the pandemic.

Now a Manager at PwC, he’s living proof that mindset beats marks. His story is raw, real, and a reminder that the road to qualification is rarely smooth, but always worth it.

Read how he turned failure into fuel.

Tembela Tsutsu, Audit Manager at BDO Johannesburg, is proof that technical excellence and human impact go hand in hand. From leading audit teams to mentoring future CAs, she’s not just checking boxes, she’s setting new standards.

How Vumbhoni Hlongwane turned a schoolyard win into a career-defining edge.

He didn’t come from privilege. He wasn’t top of the class — until one accounting exam changed everything.

Today, Vumbhoni builds the cost models that drive FNB’s executive strategy. But behind the title is a story of resilience, mentorship, and a passion for buses that still fuels his dreams.

As Financial Accountant at Thos Begbie & Co., he’s mastered the balancing act of deadlines, audits, and strategic reporting. But behind the spreadsheets is a leader who believes in mentorship, ethics, and early-morning hustle. With a BCom and 8 years in finance, Tebatšo proves that consistent execution, not flashy titles, is what drives business forward.

His mantra: “Your greatness is limited only by the investments you make in yourself.”

Bronwyn Cramer didn’t follow the traditional path into accounting leadership. But that didn’t stop her from tightening month-end chaos into clean, efficient processes — or mentoring a team of six with empathy and precision. Between early-morning chess matches and scuba diving with sharks, she’s reshaping finance, one bold decision at a time.

Michaela Moodley didn’t wait for permission. She built her own system, implemented her own controls, and earned her seat at the decision-making table. With a BCom in Accounting and a deep love for detail, she runs lean but leads big.

Her career isn’t powered by titles — it’s driven by resilience, quiet mornings, and a belief that smart work beats hard work.

From systems audits in mining to writing billion-rand credit reports, Clinton's career took off fast, and he’s still figuring it out as he goes. His edge? Relentless curiosity, bulletproof routines, and a mindset built on micro-wins: “Just improve 1% every day — the rest adds up.”

He’s not chasing titles. He’s building resilience. And proving that leadership isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about showing up anyway.

A quiet force in public sector finance, Ockert Pienaar took his high school curiosity (sparked by his accounting lecturer mom) and turned it into impact, landing in the SAIPA Top 10 and helping clients fix years of financial chaos.

With CaseWare in one hand and Philippians 4:13 in the other, he tackles asset compliance, team support, and regulatory red tape with focus and faith.

His advice? Master the basics, stay sharp, and never underestimate Excel — or a good cup of coffee.

Comfort Bhila is a Senior Financial Accountant at the Municipal Demarcation Board with 8–9 years of experience in public sector finance. With a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting, he specialises in financial reporting, compliance with GRAP and National Treasury regulations, and leading year-end financial closes. Known for his calm leadership style and dedication to mentoring junior staff, Comfort combines technical precision with strategic insight—ensuring financial accuracy while supporting cross-functional decision-making.

Ahmed Gadelkarim is a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) and Technical Audit Manager at PKF Octagon with over six years of experience in the accounting and auditing field. His career, which began in veterinary science before transitioning to accounting, showcases his unique blend of technical expertise and a passion for continuous learning. Dedicated to delivering high-quality financial solutions and mentoring junior colleagues, Ahmed plays a key role in shaping PKF Octagon's commitment to innovation and excellence in the financial services sector.

“I failed every board course exam, then passed APC on my first try.”

Ashleigh Abrahams doesn’t sugarcoat her journey. From switching out of chemical engineering, to surviving virtual articles during COVID, to now auditing the JSE’s control environment, her career is built on grit, growth, and getting back up stronger. A CA(SA) who leads with empathy, structure, and purpose.

“I manage the numbers. All of them.”

At just one year into his finance career, Rinaldo Josie runs the full financial operations at Assore, from daily cash flow to general ledger control. He’s not just a CA(SA); he’s a mentor, strategist, and early riser who believes in doing everything with purpose and precision. His story proves that you don’t need decades to lead, just the mindset to learn fast and move smart.