Thameenah Abrahams completed her Master of Commerce in Accounting at the University of KwaZulu-Natal while going through personal loss, with her research focusing on challenges facing the auditing profession and its impact on trust, accountability and financial credibility.
- University of KwaZulu-Natal graduate Thameenah Abrahams graduated with a Master of Commerce in Accounting, achieving a result of 70%, just a month after losing her mother to dementia.
- Her research looked at the decline in registered auditors and how that has an impact on trust, accountability and the economy.
- Abrahams is now pursuing a PhD and encouraging students facing hardship to keep pushing forward.
In a triumphant moment amid grief and loss, Thameenah Abrahams graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal with a Master of Commerce in Accounting – just a month after losing her mother to dementia.
Even though her mother had two caregivers providing daily care, it was an emotionally difficult time for Abrahams, who had to balance her academic demands with providing support during this challenging period.
However, she did not give up and completed her master’s research, graduating with a result of 70%.
“My mother’s illness was emotionally difficult to process, and it was not always easy to remain focused while dealing with that reality,” said Abrahams.
“However, I reminded myself why I started the degree and what I wanted the work to contribute to.
Receiving my degree was deeply emotional. It represented far more than the completion of an academic qualification. It represented sacrifice, discipline, faith, support and perseverance through a very difficult period.
Abrahams said she valued the way her mother encouraged her through her studies, explaining that it was something that she carried with her.
She added that her mother’s support gave her strength when the emotional toll was too much to bear.
“It was not easy to maintain focus and emotional balance,” Abrahams admitted. “But her encouragement, together with the support structures around me, helped me continue.
“I received support from my partner, Gérard Blankenberg, my master’s supervisor, Dr Masibulele Phesa, my mentor, Ronald Nhleko, as well as my Boston City Campus ex-colleagues and UWC (University of the Western Cape) colleagues.”
Abrahams added that the experience changed her understanding of what resilience was and that she did not see it as simply being strong anymore but being able to continue while still acknowledging that something was painful.
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Her research focused on the decline in registered auditors and the possible implications this has for South Africa’s assurance industry and the broader economy.
She said the profession was important and that auditing played a key role in promoting trust, ensuring accountability and keeping the credibility of financial information.
Abrahams added that one of the key concerns that stood out from her research was that the decline in registered auditors was caused by several factors and not only one factor, and this included regulatory demands, workload, remuneration concerns and retaining young professionals in the auditing profession.
“When the profession is under pressure, it affects businesses, investors, governance and confidence in the economy as a whole,” she said. “I hope my research contributes to more honest conversations and more effective action around the sustainability of the profession.”
Abrahams is now pursuing a PhD and hopes to build a career that uses teaching, research and mentorship to connect academia and professional practice.
“I’m interested in contributing through scholarship that is practically relevant and socially responsive,” she said.
Even though graduating without her mother by her side was not easy, Abrahams added that her studies had always been inspired by her mom.
“In many ways, my academic journey is tied to my mother’s strength.”
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“My academic journey has been one of persistence, purpose and growth, [and I hope] that this work contributes, even in a small way, to strengthening the future of auditing, accountability and public trust in our country.”
She said she encouraged students going through personal hardships to know they did not need to be emotionally strong all the time, emphasising that hardship did not disqualify anyone from achieving their goals and that it might actually shape their purpose and deepen their understanding of why their work matters.
“What matters is to keep taking the next step, even if it is a small one. Use the support around you, speak to people you trust, and do not be afraid to ask for help.”
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