31 July 2024
Written by Milpark
Milpark graduate Yolanda Sapho’s success story is one of triumph of determination. After failing the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) two times, she got a bursary from AWCA, passed the PGDA with flying colours at Milpark - and secured a job as an assistant lecturer.
Yolanda Sapho’s educational journey is a success story and a testament to resilience and determination. Born in the small town of Qumbu in the Eastern Cape and later moving to Mount Frere, Yolanda faced numerous challenges in her young life.
As a teenager, her parents sent her to Johannesburg to live with her grandmother for better educational opportunities, and later she faced the daunting reality of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) no longer covering postgraduate qualifications. But Yolanda’s resolve never wavered.
She actively sought alternative funding opportunities, but most did not materialise. A turning point came when a friend informed her about the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) bursary.
“I applied for it,” she says. At that time, she was living on her own in Cape Town, having already faced setbacks with her PGDA studies.
Despite feeling demotivated and alone, she found the strength to carry on, after briefly considering taking a year off her studies. Yolanda's journey is truly a success story, demonstrating her perseverance and dedication.
“But AWCA came through for me when I needed them the most,” she remembers with gratitude. “They assisted me, covering everything except accommodation.
They provided a laptop, data allowances, textbooks, and money for transport, ensuring I could attend exams.”
Yolanda acknowledges that she would not have been able to study at Milpark without the AWCA bursary. Balancing her studies with her responsibilities was challenging, but her final attempt at the PGDA, which was her first attempt at Milpark, was successful and left a lasting impression.
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This success story is a testament to AWCA's unwavering support and commitment to their students.
“The difference with Milpark is that the lecturers revisit undergraduate concepts. Nobody assumes you already know something. The pressure is less, and you start with a clean slate. The support offerings and care shown by lecturers, support staff, and peers also added positively to the overall experience.”
Yolanda's journey at Milpark, backed by AWCA's assistance, is yet another success story that highlights the transformative power of accessible education and dedicated support systems.
Passing the PGDA on her first attempt at Milpark allowed Yolanda to pursue her goal: becoming a chartered accountant CA(SA). This dream began when she was a matric pupil visiting a career expo, where she was inspired by a CA speaking about the opportunities in the field.
Now, Yolanda has completed her first board exam and is scheduled to write her second in 2026. She has joined Milpark as a tax assistant lecturer and will become a tax academic trainee next year.
Reflecting on her journey, Yolanda sometimes finds it surreal how close she is to achieving her dreams. “I am so excited about it.
At one point, I thought it was not going to happen since I had so many struggles. When I got my PGDA, I kept checking my results. I couldn’t believe it!”
To other students, her message is clear: Don’t give up. “Sometimes it is difficult to achieve what we want in life, especially when there are financial difficulties.
But you must not look at your circumstances and think they determine your future. You determine your future.”
Yolanda gives credit to AWCA, her family, friends, school teachers, and community members who believed in her potential. Their encouragement and belief in her were crucial in helping her overcome the many obstacles she faced.
Yolanda Sapho's journey is a powerful success story of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of education.
Her unwavering resolve led her from the brink of giving up to achieving her dreams, all thanks to the support of AWCA and the nurturing environment at Milpark Education.
Her story is a testament to the fact that your future is in your hands, regardless of the obstacles you face. Yolanda’s triumph over adversity and her achievements at Milpark serve as an inspiration to all aspiring students.
Are you ready to create your own success story? Apply now at Milpark Education and take control of your future.