If there were a single word to describe Jameel Khan, co-founder of The Unconventional CA, it would be resilient.
Resilience is, after all, the quality that drove Jameel forward as he fought a battle against drug addiction, as he tried – and failed – to obtain his CA qualification and, finally, as he established a start-up that mentors, empowers and supports other entrepreneurs.
Jameel admits that accounting wasn’t his first choice career-wise: when he enrolled at Wits, it was to study chemical engineering. ‘I reconsidered when I saw that my friend, who was studying accounting, had a far less hectic schedule,’ he quips. The reality, though, was that Jameel’s interest in business had been sparked by his father’s entrepreneurial ventures and he realised that accounting was sure to be a useful skill if he chose to follow the same route.
Although he had obtained five distinctions when he wrote matric, Jameel is the first to admit that he wasn’t exactly a model student. His first and second years proceeded without incident, but his partying caught up with him in third year – which is also when he began experimenting with stimulants. ‘I didn’t pass enough subjects to be able to pursue my CA qualification, so I tried again – and the second time around, I passed just one subject.’ Convinced he wasn’t taking his studies seriously, his parents told him he would have to get a job and pay his own way.
With stress mounting as he tried to balance the demands of his job with the challenges of part-time study, Jameel’s drug use worsened, along with his mental health. Isolation and anxiety were eating into him, and during his second year of articles, he realised he would have to face up to the problem.
One step forward, two steps back
The stint at rehab that followed was, initially, ‘life-changing’ – but Jameel’s new ways were difficult to sustain. Coming from a strict Muslim background where even smoking was considered taboo, it was difficult for his parents to understand why he would be heading out at night with other former addicts, despite his explanation that they were attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings. It wasn’t long before he once more felt disconnected. ‘Support is extremely important for a recovering addict,’ Jameel says – and without it, he relapsed, leading to even greater feelings of self-loathing and guilt, wondering how he had come to find himself in this desperate space for a second time.
Jameel realised he would have to return to rehab. This time, he selected a smaller facility which was run by a recovered addict and had a family-type atmosphere. ‘I’d used my savings to pay for my first rehab so I couldn’t really afford it this time around, but they told me to pay only what I could,’ Jameel says. He found his niche amongst the small tight-knit group and decided to stay in a halfway-house rather than return home once the programme was complete. This made a big difference to his recovery, Jameel says, because the housemates all held each other accountable and buoyed each other up when they could tell others were slipping.
Jameel has not touched a drug since 16 July 2016, the day he left rehab for the second time. ‘My birthday is three days later, on 19 July, but we choose to celebrate my sober day every year instead,’ he says.
The human connection
I had honestly thought that it would be impossible for me to have a professional career in the auditing environment – I thought that I would be finished if anyone found out about my struggle with drugs,’ he admits. He adds that he is endlessly grateful to the partners at Mazars, where he completed his articles, for the sensitive way they handled his situation, giving him the time he needed to complete rehab while ensuring total confidentiality.
His next move was to SAICA’s offices, where he first started working with SMMEs. ‘As a CA, there are so many ways you can add value to a small business owner. I loved building relationships with venture owners and watching as their companies took off and flourished.’
He used the insights garnered through this experience to set up The Unconventional CA, a firm which focuses on nurturing entrepreneurs by guiding corporates through enterprise and supplier development, as well as coaching and providing resources for start-ups. Jameel explains that this leap was all about finding his purpose; something which was integral to his recovery as an addict. ‘It saddened me to realise that a lot of the people I met in rehab didn’t know what they want out of life. As they say, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, and I think that one of the reasons why my second recovery was successful is because I never lost sight of my goal to become a CA. My path was clear, I just had to follow it. Becoming a business owner was the next part of that journey. It was frightening, but I knew that having overcome addiction, I could face anything.’
Jameel maintains that his struggle with drugs has actually helped him in the business sphere. ‘My experiences have taught me that everyone has issues; everyone is on a journey. Often, we find other people intimidating, but after what I’ve been through, I know that people are just people. I use that knowledge to connect with our clients. But I have also learnt enough to realise that, if someone isn’t interested in our offering, I shouldn’t take it personally – it’s simply not for them.’ Jameel’s CA qualification has also helped to bolster business because it gives clients confidence – ‘they’re comfortable that I know what I’m doing,’ he says.
Onward and upward
Being named one of SAICA’s Top 35-under-35 in 2023 was a massive achievement for Jameel, and a sign that he is on the right path.
He’s determined to keep up the momentum: right now, he’s working on developing entrepreneur support technology while also keeping up The Unconventional CA’s work with entrepreneurs. ‘I love being part of the businesses we build – it’s extremely rewarding.’ He’s proud of the company’s work: as at December 2023 The Unconventional CA had supported over 578 SMMEs and entrepreneurs, while beneficiaries have shown a qualitative improvement of 27% through the use of the company’s technology.
There’s a book about his experiences in the offing, while he’s also working to bring about mental health services to South Africa’s rural communities. This is a cause very close to his heart, given the role depression and anxiety played in his addiction.
‘This has been a difficult struggle, but I’m grateful for what it has taught me: everyone is vulnerable, everyone sometimes feels as though they need to wear a mask. Understanding this makes it possible for me to connect with people at a very human level – and that’s something I value.’
All about resilience
Jameel says that one of the reasons recovery is difficult for drug addicts is because they use drugs as a crutch. Giving up drugs is experienced as a real loss and, like any other loss, needs to be grieved – but unless that crutch is replaced by something more solid, like a purpose, it is all too easy to return to your old habit. ‘Keeping focused on my purpose really helped me,’ he says. ‘It’s crucial for anyone who is going through a hard time to keep thinking about their purpose, and to understand that the storm will eventually pass – but your purpose will be there forever.’
Author Lisa Witepski | Photographer Theana Breugem
