JE#5: Kayla Mallinson - The Courage to Begin Again

At 18, Kayla Mallinson made the difficult decision to leave school before completing matric. She was struggling with her mental health, uncertain about what the future would hold and painfully aware of the expectations she felt she had not met. The following year, she returned to the same small school to do matric again—without the friends who had previously shared the journey with her. It was the first of several courageous new beginnings. Kayla went on to complete an accounting degree, only to discover midway through her studies that it did not provide a direct route into the CA(SA) pathway. Determined to find another way, she moved from Cape Town to Johannesburg with R15,000 in savings, relocated again to Pretoria to begin her articles and enrolled in an online bridging programme that allowed her to work and study simultaneously. In this episode, Kayla speaks candidly about: leaving matric to care for her mental health—and finding the courage to return; discovering that her undergraduate degree was not SAICA-accredited; moving across the country and becoming financially independent at 22; completing her bridging programme and PGDA while working full-time; her routine of waking at 3:30 a.m. to study before work; feeling left behind as others appeared to progress more quickly; managing anxiety around high-stakes examinations; and learning that her identity and worth were never dependent on earning a professional designation. Now a CA(SA), lecturer and master’s student, Kayla reflects on what the journey gave her beyond the qualification: discipline, adaptability, resilience and the confidence that she can do hard things. Her story is a powerful reminder that stepping away does not have to mean giving up—and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is begin again. Please note: Accreditation requirements and pathways may change. Prospective students should consult https://www.saica.org.za/resources/tr... before making study decisions. If this conversation encouraged you, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. Subscribe to the pod(CA)st journal for more honest conversations about what it takes to become a CA(SA)—and what it can mean to be one. For feedback, guest suggestions or to share your own story, email mailto:hello@podcastjournal.co.za. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: DEKWJ4NSWLJ0YGBH, MY5OFPOYNC4Y6RFF