Meet our #SAIPAproud member

Danielle Cloete

The journey started in Belhar Extension 13 with a 16-year-old girl giving birth to a baby girl who would never live up to her mother’s expectations but would try every day to make her proud.

My schooling started in Pietermaritzburg onwards to Johannesburg and finally moving back to Cape Town where I finished primary school at St. Augustine’s Primary School. My high school career was spent at Parow High were I got involved in sports, as well as cultural and academic activities. I was the chairperson of the Representative Council of Learners and served on the schools governing body. Because of all my hard work, I managed to get accepted into the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

My first day at University started on a high note, as I received an award for being one of the top achievers in matric. I felt instantly at home and my dreams of becoming a CA(SA) was on the horizon. (Little did I know God had other plans.)

During my first term of exams, I was in a serious car accident. I was summonsed to bed rest for two months, not being able to do anything for myself. My mother was a force like no other she carried me literally and figuratively. I missed half of my first university year, but it was never in my plans to quit. With being stuck in a wheelchair temporarily, I hit the ground ‘rolling’ and tackled the second semester completing the exams I missed and continued with my second-semester classes. Not being able to walk for half the year was tough on both myself and my friends that assist me with my getting to my classes. Wheelchair or not I attended every lecture!

The funny part was that I was so invested in becoming a CA(SA), but unfortunately did not meet the criteria to further my studies in that direction. My dream was still however focused on becoming an accountant. At that same time, a lecturer introduced us to SAIPA during a career exhibition. There I realised that my future career path will lead me to become a Professional Accountant (SA).

Completing my Articles was the longest and hardest road I had to face, swopping firms in my first year, my mom passing away followed by me becoming the guardian of my twin sisters. During my final year, after long contemplation, I joined the Project Achiever Programme and wrote the P.E. exam (conducting my studies on an ironing board.)

At last, I am Daniel Cloete – Professional Accountant (SA).