The Post

No end to education

NONHLANHLA MBONAMBI nonhlanhla.mbonambi@inl.co.za

THAVASHALIN Pillay's parents are teachers and they instilled the importance of family, dedication and hard work in him from a young age.

The 22-year-old recently graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Science degree.

Pillay, from Clare Estate, said: “I worked extremely hard in high school (Dr AD Lazarus Secondary) to ensure I was accepted to study my first choice at UKZN.

“My parents are teachers so there is no beginning nor end to education. My father, being a mathematician, taught us to see the world in numbers.

“This allowed my sister to venture into the information technology sector, my brother into engineering, and myself into finance.”

He said as a child, his mother often took him to the Asherville Library in Springfield.

“This small act had developed the solid foundation on which the rest of my life was built.”

Pillay said he therefore often encouraged parents to start good reading habits in their children from a young age.

During his tertiary studies, Pillay attained eight dean’s commendations, 13 certificates of merit and 30 distinctions.

He was also awarded the Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarship in 2018.

In 2019, he was named UKZN’s South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) best business ethics student.

Pillay said during his studies his mama (maternal uncle) and nani (maternal grandmother) passed away.

“They would be proud to know I graduated summa cum laude.

“The pandemic has opened my eyes to how unexpected life can be. It also taught me to appreciate the little things I took for granted.”

Pillay intends to pursue a Master’s degree in finance followed by a PhD and chartered financial analyst qualification.

“For those who want to embark on a career in finance, there will be sleepless nights, breakdowns and challenges.

“However, it is best to push even harder during these times because eventually you are going to take out what you have put in.

“It will all be worth it in the end. Destiny finds a way.”

Pillay relocated to Cape Town early this year and is an advisory associate at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

“I am so thankful that my Honours degree at UKZN taught me to understand the complete functioning of the business world.

“This allows me to stand out in the workplace."

Graduation

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2022-05-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thepostza.pressreader.com/article/281758452893131

African News Agency