In celebration of Youth Month, the Young Alumni Programme (YAP) at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) is showcasing our incredible young alumni. Meet some of our remarkable Maties, all under the age of 35, who are using the knowledge and skills they gained at SU to push boundaries and make a real impact across various fields.
Sivenathi Booi is a woman who refuses to be defined by her circumstances. By overcoming adversity that could have derailed her ambition, she carved her own path through sheer determination and an unshakeable belief in her potential. Today, as a financial advisor at Liberty Group South Africa, she is not only thriving professionally but also using her journey to empower and uplift others.
Hailing from the Eastern Cape, Sivenathi grew up without her parents and even experienced periods of homelessness. But she did not allow these challenges to interfere with her vision. With relentless focus, she earned a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) in 2018, a milestone that symbolised more than academic success – it was a victory over the odds stacked against her.
“It wasn't easy. I lived with different family members at different times. Fortunately, I excelled in my academics and was awarded not only the top district learner award in my matric year in 2013 but also a scholarship from the Department of Education to study at SU. I was determined to achieve my dream of becoming a powerful corporate woman.
“My headmaster convinced me to study for a chartered accountant as it would be a faster way to achieve my goal, even though I never did Accountancy at school. I thought I could do anything, but I ended up not really enjoying my studies and it eventually took me a year longer to finish my degree."
She said of that time: “I developed depression. I was working as a security guard at my residence and as a marketing assistant at the LaunchLab to earn money for food as my bursary only covered tuition. I was not sleeping and taking medication which compounded everything."
Ironically, it was her studies at SU and the people she interacted with that eventually turned her fortunes around and gave her hope.
“I remember one time during a holiday break; I could not afford the bus fare home to visit my family. One of the students at my residence, Jessica Edwards, found out about it and booked me a flight to the Eastern Cape. It was my first time on a plane but also the first time that someone came through for me and helped me without expecting anything in return. While working at the LaunchLab I also met someone who was involved with Blessing Bucks, a fund that assists students who were on bursaries but did not have enough money to buy food. She was able to secure funding for me and as a result I could quit the jobs I had to do for food and just focus on my studies. Their generosity has taught me to always go out of my way to help others where I can because I know how much that means.
“My course contained one module, Treasury, which focused on investments which I really enjoyed and excelled in. This is also the time cryptocurrency came on the scene and I took it on myself to teach others how to invest and how to understand markets. I became known as a sort of an investment guru to my peers and even people outside of university, and that sort of shaped my career path."
Sivenathi became a financial advisor with Liberty Group South Africa in 2022 after deciding to leave her articles at a major accounting firm “because if I did not quit, it would have destroyed my mental health". Before joining Liberty, she worked as an au pair and ran a successful wholesale bakery. ?
“My job as a financial advisor helps me to change people's lives. I always wanted to help alleviate poverty in Africa and to bring about sustainable economic solutions. My job helps me do that, even if it is on a smaller scale."
She urges young people to use Youth Month as an opportunity to prioritise their financial health.
“Our generation is outspoken. We speak up on mental health issues and issues that used to be taboo such as racism and sexism. We are also the generation of social media and instant gratification – everyone wants to make it so quickly and everyone judges themselves so harshly when they haven't achieved what they wanted. We do not portray financial wealth as a journey, we don't talk about putting money away. I'd like us to also be real about that and upfront about our financial wellbeing, instead of giving in to instant gratification."
Sivenathi dreams of becoming an independent financial advisor and opening her own brokerage firm later this year. ?“I really want to bring about sustainable development by teaching people how to optimise their finances. I am good at what I do, I just need that lucky break."??
Photo: Jika Jika Media
