Thameenah Abrahams graduated with a Master of commerce in accounting degree.
Image: Sethu Dlamini
A month after losing her mom to dementia, Thameenah Abrahams graduated with a Master of commerce in accounting degree.
For much of her postgraduate journey at UKZN, Abrahams cared for and supported her mother, Shamsijah Abrahams, whose health steadily declined after being diagnosed with dementia in July 2024. Despite the emotional strain and personal loss, she persevered through one of the most difficult seasons of her life and emerged as one of the institution’s top graduates.
In January 2024, Abrahams began her MCom studies with determination and focus. But only months later, her family’s reality changed dramatically with her mother’s diagnosis.
What followed was a deeply emotional period marked not only by the demands of rigorous academic research, but also by the heartbreak of watching someone she loved slowly fade.
“I completed my MCom while watching my mother gradually deteriorate,” she said.
“It was an incredibly difficult and emotional experience.”
Yet even as dementia took its toll, her mother continued to encourage her in the ways she could - through visits, phone calls and unwavering belief in her daughter’s abilities.
“That encouragement meant a great deal to me,” Abrahams reflected.
“It’s something I carry with me. In many ways, my academic journey is tied to my mother’s strength.”
Her mother’s support became a source of strength during moments when the emotional burden felt overwhelming. Alongside this, the MCom accounting support group at UKZN provided a sense of community and encouragement that helped her continue during the most difficult times.
Then, on April 13, just weeks before the graduation ceremony, her mother passed away.
The loss was devastating. By then, Abrahams had already progressed to the next chapter of her academic journey and enrolled for a PhD in accounting.
“It was not easy to maintain focus and emotional balance,” she admitted.
“But her encouragement, together with the support structures around me, helped me continue.”
Her research addressed a critical issue facing South Africa’s auditing profession: the decline in registered auditors and the implications this holds for the future of assurance.
“I hope my research contributes to more honest conversations and more effective action around the sustainability of the profession,” she explained. “It’s about helping regulators, professional bodies and educators respond to the challenges facing auditing.”
For Abrahams, the importance of the profession extends far beyond industry concerns.
“Auditing is closely tied to trust, accountability and the credibility of financial information,” she said. “When the profession is under pressure, it affects businesses, investors, governance and confidence in the economy as a whole.”
Now pursuing her PhD, she hopes to build a career that bridges academia and professional practice through teaching, research and mentorship.
“I’m interested in contributing through scholarship that is practically relevant and socially responsive,” she said.
“My academic journey has been one of persistence, purpose and growth,” she said.
“Through this MCom, I explored a pressing issue facing the profession I care deeply about. My hope is that this work contributes, even in a small way, to strengthening the future of auditing, accountability and public trust in our country.”