BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
Meet Monica Sithole, an inspirational 25-year-old Chartered Accountant, who in July 2020 was diagnosed with stage 4 hematological blood cancer.
After nine months, 12 chemotherapy sessions, five scans and four surgeries, she was officially declared cancer free.
Monica holds a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences and a CTA in Accounting from Wits University. She obtained her APC and ITC from SAICA and completed her articles at PwC South Africa.
“At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in July 2020, at age 22, I was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and immediately started the treatment. My faith in God and my family’s unwavering support kept me going, as well as the fact that there is just so much I would like to do for my family, so I still need to be alive to do all of that.
The nurses and the doctor treating me also did a great job of encouraging me. Meeting other patients at the chemo clinic who had been diagnosed with the same type of cancer that I had and who had been receiving treatment for it, also kept me going.”
“After overcoming such a hectic situation in my life at the tender age of 23, I ought to live a bold and fearless lifestyle for the rest of my life. God gave me a second chance, and for that reason who am I to fear anything in this life?”
“I am truly grateful for all the people who supported me during my unique journey of articles and carried me in ways I could never imagine.
To my colleagues and managers who played fundamental roles in ensuring that my well-being and development was prioritised, thank you.
To my friends and family who prayed for me during times I could not pray for myself, thank you,” said Sithole.
Image: LinkedIn
