Dear Younger Noxolo,

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I know life is great right now. You have big dreams and hopes.

Even though you come from deep rural KwaZulu-Natal and study in a Quintile 1 high school, your dreams are bigger than that. You're top of your class, a lead singer in your school choir, and you've participated in competitions with learners from privileged schools -  and proved yourself to be more than capable.

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Guess what? It's about to get better.

You're going to top the whole province in accounting. Your principal will be invited to ICC for the first time when the Minister announces the matric results, as it will be the first time a learner from your school or area is awarded. You're going to be the pride and joy of your school and community. Your father will be telling anyone who cares to listen about his daughter, who scored 100% in accounting.

At the ICC, that's where you will meet Lethu Mkhize, who will offer you a Thuthuka bursary to study a BCom in Accounting Science. At that point, you're thrilled as you had no funds to further your studies. And accounting? Your thing!

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After that, life becomes more of a challenge. In your second year of study, you'll fall pregnant and give birth to an adorable baby boy.

Problems will start in your 3rd year, when you'll struggle to find the balance between being a parent and a student. Your studies will suffer, and you'll end up finishing your degree a year later than record time.

At least, you made everyone proud by getting your degree. There is still hope for a better future, better education for your son, and you'll even get an offer to further your studies because the goal is still to become a CA.

But life gets even tougher. You'll have to drop out mid-year because you ran out of funds. You'll lose hope in your dreams as you pack your things and return home without a PGDA.

For two and a half years, you're going to struggle to find internships or any job related to your degree. You'll find yourself working in construction, teaching yourself skills like baking to make ends meet, and you'll find yourself working on a farm.

In all this, please don't lose yourself — your bubbly, happy self, your warmth and calmness, and your ability to see good in every situation and every person. Those are the greatest virtues of your life that will not only help you build healthy relationships but will be your greatest asset to survive, no matter how tough it gets in the corporate world.

Because Accensis is coming.

One day, when you're working under that hot sun on the farm, you'll get a call that will change your life — from Accensis telling you that you passed your interview and you're starting your SAICA articles.

There, you'll meet amazing people. Colleagues like Khofhid Govender, who will be the first person to come to you and ask if your laptop has been updated, help you log your first NetConfig ticket, and send you the first email with videos on Caseware.

Nomvula, who will provide you guidance even if it means she will be behind with her hours. Your manager, Shazade, will review your file, ask if you understand his expectations, and guide you to ensure quality work. Thembisa will show you how to navigate every software and website used by the company. Your sister Zamo will be there, telling you she's taking you to the year-end function before you even arrive. Our retired Mam Ethel, who will bring you your very first Christmas gift as a secret Santa.

In case you haven't noticed, you'll have a lot of firsts at Accensis: your first Christmas gift, your first Mother's Day gift, and Women's Day celebrations, you name it.

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They'll book your very first flight!

You'll find your fellow first years — you'll love them and form bonds. They'll dote on you because, apparently, you can keep them calm.

I can name them all, because every person in that company is terrific. They will buy you gifts for every holiday, offer you coffee every day, popcorn every Monday, and celebrate birthdays every month.

Every day, you'll wake up grateful to God for Accensis.

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All the confidence you thought you'd lost will come running back, and all you'll think about is raising funds to further your studies because they've made you realise you cannot give up on your dreams.

They'll bring back your love for numbers, and applying what you've learnt in the real world will give you joy — even though you thought you'd forgotten everything.

By giving you a chance, they'll show you that you still have what it takes.

Oh, and enjoy being Noxolo while it lasts, because in a diverse world like Accensis, not everyone will be able to pronounce your name.

Soon enough, you'll be "Nox" — and you'll love it.

I would like to tell you more about Accensis, but I'm still in my first year of articles. So far, I'm enjoying it. Come — let's explore together.

With love from,

Your Older Self

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