Kgaugelo Moima, an audit senior at the Auditor-General of South Africa, is dedicating her career to excellence: not only in her own sphere, but also by ensuring the future of the profession by uplifting the next generation.
There are times when Kgaugelo looks at her three-year-old daughter and marvels at how different her own life was at that age. ‘I try to give her everything she needs – and I can’t help but wish that I could travel back in time and do the same for the girl I used to be.’
It’s no exaggeration to say that Kgaugelo’s childhood years, spent in a rural village on the outskirts of Marble Hall in Limpopo, was far from privileged. ‘I only realised that some people eat bread, cheese and butter every day of their lives when I went to university. When I was growing up, those were once-a-year luxuries,’ she says.
Being a big sister
Kgaugelo’s experiences have made her determined to improve the lives of others – which is why she is an enthusiastic supporter of SAICA’s Thuthuka camps.
She first got involved with the initiative back in 2015, after seeing an ad recruiting teachers for the camp. ‘I had no idea what to expect,’ she says. Eager to learn more, she attended a session to hear what it was all about – and was immediately certain that this was an area where she could add value.
Her first camp left her more convinced than ever that she was on the right path. ‘It breaks my heart to think that there are still kids who live in areas that do not receive the fundamental services we should all be able to access. But more than this, these children often don’t even have schoolbooks or school shoes – and, when they finally do manage do obtain what they need, their property is usually stolen from them.’ The idea of acting as a ‘big sister’ to such children resonated strongly with the then-third year university student. ‘I realised that if they don’t even have the basics they need to attend school, there is almost no chance that they’ll be able to access resources to learn more about different jobs and careers. And without that information, they have little chance to fulfil their potential.’
The magic of the Thuthuka camps is that they don’t just help children who dream of one day having the letters CA(SA) behind their names. They aim to provide a broader view of the world, helping children navigate different areas so that they grow not only in ability, but in confidence, too.
Kgaugelo couldn’t resist the idea of being able to provide guidance of this nature and so has returned to assist at the camps for several years. ‘It feels good to be able to make a difference in a young person’s life, and to open their eyes to the corporate world. It means even more to me because I understand the challenges they have been through, and I can share my own experiences. I want to show someone who has grown up in a rural area, who has never even heard of SAICA, what is possible.’
Propelled by passion
Kgaukelo’s determination to mentor youngsters was, undoubtedly, influenced by the fact that she had her own mentor as a child: her uncle, who has played a critical role in shaping her choices. As a teacher, he was able to spot Kgaugelo’s aptitude and dedication to her studies and encouraged to reach ever higher.
It was also her uncle who persuaded her to apply to university. But Kgaugelo’s resolve to improve her life and leave the difficulties of her childhood behind were all her own – as was the decision to become a CA. ‘I actually wanted to be a doctor, but when I started studying accounting in Grade 9, I realised that I really enjoyed it. I found it very interesting.’ That insight opened the door: when she applied to university and found that there was space in the accounting stream, the door opened a little wider, and it wasn’t long before Kgaugelo fell in love with the field. ‘I’m fascinated by the technical side; by all the small transactions that come together to create a bigger picture. I find it thrilling to understand all the actions a company is taking to ensure it is profitable.’
Kgaugelo got her entry into the profession at PwC. The reality of completing articles was very different to what she had expected, she admits – but even the experience of failing her CTA could not dim her passion for her chosen field. In 2023, she moved on to a post as assistant audit manager at Motlanalo Chartered Accountants, taking up her current position a year later.
What goals are currently on her horizon? Kgaugelo says that her chief goal now is to complete her CA qualification. She is currently studying for her APC exams, which she will write in December. In the longer term, she would like to become an analyst. ‘The plan is to enter the corporate world in the finance department, and explore from there,’ she says.
Staying the course
Kgaugelo says that when she finds her studies especially difficult, she reminds herself how far she has come. ‘It was hard to watch my peers qualify with their CTA, while I had to write a special exam to catch up with them – but I just kept on going. The experience taught me that I am strong enough to get through anything, which is a lesson that has been very useful. I bring it to my every time I am facing a challenge.’
She urges up and coming CAs to do the same. ‘This is not an easy qualification. Your journey is your own. Make it easier by staying relevant, and by always asking questions. There’s no such thing as a stupid question – often, the only thing that stands between where you are and where you want to be is having the guts to speak up. The person standing in front of you has the information you need, so do it. Ask that question.’
