JE#6: Goolam Modack - Moving Towards the Pain
1 hr 27 min
“In my first semester, I struggled my way through accounting.” This is an unexpected admission from someone who would go on to become Head of the College of Accounting at the University of Cape Town and help shape accounting education across the country. Goolam Modack did not begin university intending to become a chartered accountant. He enrolled for actuarial science, discovered an unexpected love for financial reporting and gradually found his way into the CA(SA) path. His move into academia was similarly unplanned: an academic traineeship opportunity arose late in his PGDA year, and a career he had not planned began to take shape. More than two decades later, Goolam reflects on a life spent teaching, leading and influencing the development of future chartered accountants. In this episode, we discuss: struggling with accounting before it eventually clicked;moving towards difficult things rather than avoiding them;discovering a calling to teach;the mentors and relationships that helped shape his career;becoming UCT’s first CA(SA) of colour on staff;the varied reality of an academic career;his involvement in shaping accounting curricula and professional assessments;leading within higher education during Rhodes Must Fall and Fees Must Fall;the restorative role of sabbatical; andthe faith journey through which he came to recognise God’s grace across his story.For Goolam, “moving towards the pain” means resisting the instinct to avoid what is difficult and being willing to grapple thoughtfully with the places where learning, growth or healing may be needed. If this conversation encouraged or challenged you, please share it with someone who may appreciate 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 hello@podcastjournal.co.za. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: IY55CZYONTNJSZP6, 7TVKQXIK4C4I7J28
