It Was Never Luck: A Story of Resilience

Johannesburg | Thought Leadership

I remember job hunting when I left school, the nerves and uncertainty of whether this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was only 18; how could I be sure?

The inability to study full-time led me to my CA (SA) path, as I could pursue my degree and articles concurrently. As challenging as it was to tackle this path part-time, I managed to navigate my way through. Every year presented a personal hurdle, but with the right support system and my “never give up” attitude, I reached my goal post.

Life has a way of showing you that your plans aren’t really yours; they’re merely there to make you believe in a smooth journey and to keep you motivated. I learned the hard way that not everything goes according to plan, but that shouldn’t deter you from planning.

A stark reminder was the first time I failed during my first year of CTA. I was devastated, having never failed anything before. My heart was shattered. I wanted to quit, thinking, “Who needs this anyway? I have my degree and articles; I’m done.” However, being raised by a strong woman taught me to persevere no matter the circumstances. With that inner strength ingrained from a young age, I persevered until I was proud. That moment came when I qualified as a CA (SA). The day that SMS arrived at 4 pm on a Friday, I looked up at my husband, unable to breathe. He thought I was having an asthma attack, continuously asking if I was okay, while I stood there in shock. I had always imagined that moment differently, with more screaming and crying involved.

As cliché as it sounds, failure isn't the opposite of success; it's a part of it. It taught me never to take anything for granted, to stay grounded, and to appreciate the process.

Life hasn’t been easy. I often hear that I’m lucky to be where I am today. I just smile and walk away, pondering how I might have responded. Luck has little to do with success. Drive, determination, courage, resilience, and even failure play a more significant role.

This year, I will continue to prove myself to myself. I’m a first-time mom and have started a new position at Moore Johannesburg, where growth is imminent. I will demonstrate my ability to be recognized as a woman in leadership, empowering and encouraging those around me. I aim to be valued in my workplace, not compared to the men I work alongside, but to grow together as a team.

So, I leave you with this:

“The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her. The strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate who she becomes.” – C. JoyBell C.

Set your goals, make a plan, and be prepared for detours. But always have faith that you’ll reach your objectives despite the challenges. After all, they’re merely opportunities to pause, reflect, and continue towards your destination with renewed vigor.

Charmaine Fraser

Head of Quality Control and Compliance

Head of Quality Control and Compliance at Moore Johannesburg. With over 10 years experience in audit and assurance, working across diverse industries.

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