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UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL FOUNDATION 15Funding that Ignites PotentialACCOUNTING STUDENT EMPOWERED BY OPPORTUNITY AND DRIVEN BY PURPOSEMs Sihlobile Mkhwanazi, a second-year UKZN BCom Accounting student, received a bursary from Computershare (Pty) Ltd, awarded via the BEE Chamber. The bursary has allowed her to pursue her dream of becoming a chartered accountant without the burden of financial strain.For Mkhwanazi, a bursary represents far more than financial relief %u2013 it is a gateway to a better future. %u2018For students like me, a bursary is a lifeline,%u2019 she said. Growing up in a single-parent household, financial challenges were a constant part of her life. %u2018The opportunity to continue my studies without worrying about tuition fees has been transformative. It has allowed me to focus on my education and my future.%u2019 Raised in Hillview, Empangeni, by a mother who placed education above all else, upbringing instilled in Mkhwanazi a passion for learning and a desire to give back. %u2018My mom made sure that we attended good schools, including Empangeni High School, where I was exposed to extracurricular activities that most children in our situation wouldn%u2019t have had access to,%u2019 she said. These early opportunities ignited Mkhwanazi%u2019s interest in accounting. Her decision to pursue it is her way to break the cycle of financial hardship her family faced and to build a stable, successful future, not only for herself, but also for her loved ones.While her high school ambitions revolved around achieving stability through accounting, her time at university broadened her horizons. %u2018Studying accounting showed me that it%u2019s not just about numbers; it%u2019s about understanding economics and the larger financial systems that shape our world,%u2019 she said. This deeper understanding has fuelled her desire to make a meaningful impact in both the corporate world and her community.%u2018Studying accounting showed me that it%u2019s not just about numbers; it%u2019s about understanding economics and the larger financial systems that shape our world.%u2019MS SIHLOBILE MKHWANAZIMs Sihlobile Mkhwanazi.