Luzanne du Toit has passed her Certificate in Business Accounting despite suffering from arthritis ' and is now progressing through Managerial level. She talks to CIMA about the challenges of distance learning, and about living in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
South African Managerial level student Luzanne du Toit was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when she was just two years old. Her disability means that she has had to apply for extra time for her CBA exams. But she has now passed the Certificate, is progressing through her Managerial level and is delighted to have passed Paper 4 in May.
She has a passion for Formula One racing, and when she has finished her CIMA studies, her aim is to work for Renault Formula One's financial team.
Tell us about the part of Southern Africa you grew up in.
I grew up in a town called Vredenburg, which is on the Western Cape of South Africa, on the West Coast. It's one of the biggest towns in this area, and it's only 11km from Saldanha. The school I went to in Vredenburg had just over a thousand students.
The West Coast is famous for its fishing industry. The big fish product company, Sea Harvest, is situated in Saldanha. The well known Indian businessman Lakshmi Mittal has a steel plant here that is a big provider of jobs in the local community.
Why did you choose management accounting?
I went into accounting to achieve my goals and dreams. I would have loved to have been a mechanical engineer, because I wanted to work towards a job in Formula One, but unfortunately I wasn't physically capable of that. I decided to go into accounting, which will still give me a great opportunity of getting involved in Formula One. I know it will take a lot of hard work and sacrifices, but nothing that is worth something ever comes easy.
Can you tell us why CIMA appealed to you?
At first, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I thought maybe chartered accounting, But then I heard about CIMA from a lecturer. He gave me a booklet about CIMA, and he also told me that it was an international qualification. The more I heard, the more I liked the sound of it, so I was really looking forward to starting. I was so happy the day my books came, and I can't wait to finish so that I can go to work and start reaching my goals.
How have you found CIMA so far?
It's really been ok so far - just a little difficult when you do it on your own. At the start, Cape Town didn't have a CBA centre, but luckily, the International Business Training Company (IBTC) has opened one in the city here in Cape Town.
How long did it take you to complete the Certificate level?
It took me 15 months to finish. I just could not get through economics, which was the hardest for me, although it is my favourite CIMA subject. You need to go through the revision questions and remember to read the CBA questions carefully before answering. The CIMA study materials are also good. I really want to be a chartered management accountant, so I won't give up that easy.
And why Renault Formula One?
Well ' Renault has been my favourite team since I started watching in 2003. My favourite driver, Fernando Alonso, also got his big break with this team. He was crowned World Champion in 2005 and 2006. I am happy to say he will is back with Renault for the 2008 season. Good luck to him!
Do you have any advice for students in a similar situation to yourself?
When you are studying on your own it can be hard. But take it one step at a time, never give up and do the easier papers first to build your confidence.