Enkali excels in national accounting exam

For Sakaria Dency Enkali, placing second in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN) January 2026 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) examination was a humbling and surreal achievement.

The 23-year-old Namibian says the result represents more than a ranking; it demonstrates that excellence is possible regardless of one’s background.

Enkali was born and raised in Oshilungi village, a rural community near Onankali, between Ondangwa and Omuthiya. He attended Oshilungi Combined School before completing his Grade 12 AS Level studies at Reverend Juuso Shikongo Secondary School in 2021.

Enkali pursued a bachelor of accounting (chartered) at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), graduating cum laude in 2024.

In 2025, he completed a postgraduate diploma in accounting sciences at the University of Johannesburg. He is currently serving his first year of audit articles with Deloitte Namibia.

His interest in accounting developed unexpectedly. Initially intending to study agriculture, Enkali found himself in an accounting class. What began as an unplanned change soon became a passion for problem-solving, critical thinking and understanding the story behind the numbers.

His preparation for the IAC began during his postgraduate studies. He focused on understanding accounting principles, working through practice questions and developing personal study notes. After completing his certificate in the theory of accounting (CTA), he enrolled in the Gauteng Board Course to refine his knowledge and application skills.

Maintaining momentum after an intense academic year was one of his biggest challenges. Balancing examination preparation with the need to rest and reconnect with family required discipline and prioritisation.

Consistency pays off

When he discovered he had ranked second nationally, his initial reaction was disbelief, followed by gratitude, excitement and relief.

“I did not leave the examination feeling completely confident,” he said. “More than anything, it validated a study approach built on consistency, understanding and preparation.”

Enkali credits his mother, girlfriend, uncle, friends, faith, Deloitte Namibia and the Namdia Bursary Foundation for supporting his academic development.

His immediate ambition is to complete his training contract and qualify as a chartered accountant in Namibia. He also hopes to pursue registration as an auditor and develop a specialisation in taxation.

His advice to aspiring accountants is to remain disciplined, seek mentors and stay committed to their purpose.

“Do not allow your background to determine your expectations of yourself,” he said. “With faith, discipline and perseverance, extraordinary outcomes are possible.”