​Even though Stephen Smith is graduating at Stellenbosch University (SU) this week, he does not see it as the end of his academic career. In fact, he says it is just the beginning of his journey.

The bubbly Smith, who completed his Honours B Accounting at SU is currently doing his articles at the professional services firm, PwC. He says graduating does not mean it is the “end of books" for him.

“I plan to pursue a career in academics after I qualify as a chartered accountant, because I love doing research, analysing data and lecturing. So, yes, it's just the beginning, and in the future I'd like to help other students with their journeys."

But the Kraaifontein native says though his journey at SU, which started in 2016, was a good one, it was not without its challenges.

“I started my first year without funding. It was only in May of that year, when I was about to give up hope, that I eventually managed to secure a bursary. And then things started to fall in place."

He says that during that testing five-month period and because of the financial troubles that filled him with dread, he thought of throwing in the towel.

“When I went through those moments, I remembered that I was the first in my family to study at a tertiary institution and that I owed it to them to succeed. I remembered the people from my community who were looking up to me and expecting great things from me. Those thoughts comforted me and motivated me to persevere and to prove to them that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it."

It was during those challenging times that he also got to experience the kindness and compassion from people in his community, a community where gangsterism and poverty are a way of life.

“I remember how, during my first five months at SU, I struggled to get to campus because I could not afford the taxi fare," he says. “A lot of my Grade 12 teachers from my high school, Bernadino Heights, would send me money without me asking them or telling them about my trials. I don't know how they knew what I was going through. I think it is the fact that we are all poor and share the same circumstances that motivate people to contribute to your success."

He says it is these people, along with his mother, sisters and adopted cousin, who helped shape him into the person he is today.

“My mom sacrificed a lot. My family always supported me. Sometimes, when I could not see my journey's end and became frustrated, my family kept encouraging me and motivating me. I am determined to succeed and to give back to them and the community once I become successful."

But Smith's journey at SU wasn't just an uphill battle.

“I made a lot of friends from different cultural backgrounds. I loved learning new things and experiencing new things and SU exposed me to all of that. I was very lucky to attend an institution as diverse as Stellenbosch," he says.

Smith lists dancing, especially hip-hop, and performing comical skits on TikTok as his favourite pastimes.