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Against all odds
24 April
Regardt Verster, a rising cricket star and recent BCom (Business Management) graduate from the University of Pretoria (UP), is an inspiration and an example of how, with determination and commitment, one can overcome adversity.
On 27 March 2014, while in his second year at UP, Verster was involved in a serious car accident. The injuries he sustained were so severe that his doctors concluded that medically speaking, he would never be able to play cricket again, and that he would probably not be able to continue with his studies. Through hard work and perseverance, however, Verster not only learned to walk, talk, read and write again, but in October 2014, just seven months after the accident, he returned to the pitch to represent UP in a cricket match.
In 2015, he continued with his studies at UP, obtaining excellent marks in all his subjects. ‘It was not an easy year for me. I had to study so much harder,’ he says. ‘The unwavering support of my mom, dad, brother and sister, as well as my girlfriend really carried me through it all and gave me hope. My mom is a lecturer in Accounting at the University and she helped me a lot in terms of preparing for tests and exams.’
Verster believes that everything that he has lived through and experienced during his time at UP will enable him to better fulfil his purpose in life. He dreams of one day owning his own business, offering services in various related fields such as accounting, financial advice, law and development. He hopes that his business will become well known not only in South Africa, but also internationally.
He has the following advice for prospective students: ‘Never be afraid to dream big! If you have a passion or a dream, go for it; work hard to make it a reality.’
– Author Ansa Heyl