It’s finally coming together for third-year Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting student, Ms Tayla Pearce who was awarded a College of Law and Management Studies Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded to top undergraduate students who have demonstrated excellent performance over two or more years of study. Pearce (21), whose ultimate aim is to become a chartered accountant, said her achievement was confirmation that she followed the right career route.

‘Finances were a major challenge for my family. Had I not obtained funding I wouldn’t have even started studying,’ she said.

She added that on completing matric, she was unsure whether she wanted to study dermatology or accounting and decided to take a gap year. It was after working for a small accounting firm she knew that accounting was the right choice.

Pearce said that receiving the scholarship is a reward for the effort she has put into her studies: ‘It’s a reminder that hard work will always get acknowledged in good time.’

She expressed her gratitude to her high school teachers and her family who have been her pillar of support throughout her career journey: ‘My family is always proud of me even during times when I don’t feel that myself.’

Words: Samukelisiwe Cele

Photograph: Ayanda Radebe