The Discipline of Accounting, within UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance (SAEF), welcomed 15 new Thuthuka Bursary recipients in collaboration with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) during orientation week for first-year students.
This funding programme aims to provide financial assistance to disadvantaged Coloured and African students aiming to become chartered accountants and plays an important role in SAICA’s accreditation of the accounting qualification offered by SAEF. To redress historical financial injustices and to support the government’s objective of transforming the accounting profession, Thuthuka partners with accredited universities countrywide.
Auditing lecturer and UKZN Thuthuka Bursary Programme Manager, Mr Rudolf Mbanjwa said students would each be allocated to mentors, who are their first point of call as they ease into life at university. Mbanjwa also gave a detailed explanation about the fundamental principles of the SAICA Code of Professional Conduct (CPC), which he said should always be borne in mind by aspiring CAs.
‘The programme prides itself in providing wrap-around support to the bursary recipients,’ said Mbanjwa. ‘We will have workshops and motivational talks from CA’s and continue with activities that provide our students with the skills required in this profession. We also have other additional support systems in place to help Accounting students academically, socially and professionally.’
New bursary recipients spent three days in the orientation programme with mentors who shared success stories about challenges they had faced during their academic careers. They also received practical tips and financial guidance on how to survive at the University. The last day of the orientation programme was spent with students participating in team-building activities at the Durban Point Water Club.
Bursary recipient and first-year student in the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting class, Mr Sphamandla Vilakazi said, ‘The orientation gave me direction on how I should prepare myself from the first year of my studies until I graduate. I always wanted to be a chartered accountant and it would have been difficult for me to even register since both my parents are not working.’
The programme currently has 66 students who are funded by the Thuthuka bursary, 15 first-year students, 24 second-years, 21 third-years and six postgraduate students.
Qualifying students who wish to apply for the bursary can visit www.thuthukabursaryfund.co.za.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Supplied
