Name: Lesedi Martha Ndlovu
Status : Alumni Student
Tertiary Institution: University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg
Field of Study : Accounting Sciences
Lesedi Ndlovu, the first born in a family of three siblings who lives in Naturena, Johannesburg with her mother and step father knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career in numbers. Through the mentorship that she received in high school, she made the decision to study Accounting Sciences. Although she had the capability and the intelligence to pursue an Accounting Sciences degree, Lesedi was worried about how she would fund her studies because her mother was unemployed and there were additional financial constraints witin the household. Under these circumstances, Lesedi, with hope, proceeded to apply to various Universities and she was accepted for a degree in Accounting Sciences by the University of Witswatersrand.
Lesedi’s high-school mentor informed her of the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation, thereafter Lesedi applied for the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation and in 2017 she became a recipient and she commenced her Degree in Accounting Sciences. It was at this point in Lesedi’s life that she started to be more confindent and hopeful about the future.As a recipient of the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation, Lesedi never worries about what she is going to eat the next day, how her fees will be paid or how she will pay for her study material.
Once a year in January the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation hosts an assessemnt workshop where the recipients are evaluated and assessed on their academic performance, if they are coping with University life and their general well-being. Lesedi explains that the workshop also has elements of fun; she had never spent time at a hotel or set foot in Sandton City, although she grew up in Johannesburg. These were all incredible firsts for her that she will never forget them. To top it off, winning the highest achiever award for the 2017 academic year was a feeling and an experience she states motivates her to maintain her high academic standards. This has set the bar for her to challenge herself in her academic performance throughout the rest of her degree.
Lesedi is now in her second year of studies and she is excelling. In 2017, she was on the Dean’s merit list of 10% of the top performing students. Upon the completion of Lesedi’s studies she would like to pursue a career in Management Accounting. She says she understands the importance of ethical accounting management, and that she is constantly checking that her values remain intact and reflect the attributes that are valued in Management Accounting; integrity, objectivity, transparency and confidentiality.
Lesedi lives by this saying : “I can do this, even if I can’t. I have to.” She is proud of her work and grateful for the opportunity that the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation has given her. Her 2018 goal is to move up the Dean’s merit list. She intends to always remain in the top performing 10% of students. Once she completes her studies and starts working, Lesedi intends to take care of her siblings and to make sure that they, too, focus on creating a good life for themselves.