Top Honours for Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Graduate
Mr Ahmed Ally graduated with a distinction for his Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.It was a double celebration for Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) graduate Mr Ahmed Ally as not only did he graduate with distinction but was also ranked third in South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)’s Initial test of competence (ITC).
Passing the ITC, a requirement for graduates aiming to become chartered accountants with special honours, is just one achievement on Ally’s long list of academic accomplishments, which include graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce summa cum laude and being awarded the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship in 2017.
‘I always had the dream of being in the top 10 and achieving a place on the SAICA’s honours roll. But, I certainly didn’t think I’d get third place,’ said Ally.
‘Studying for the ITC exams was very similar to the process I used to study for my final UKZN PGDA exam. I went through the UKZN tutorials and focused on my course notes that I developed during my final year. To supplement this, I attended the Gauteng board course which provided extra questions to learn from and I spent some time doing past ITC exam papers,’ said Ally.
When asked about his recipe for success, Ally said it was all about planning, preparation and hard work.
‘Firstly, candidates must have a plan for studying for the ITC exams. It will help ensure they make the best use of their time and they must take a break some time. I used the festive period to go for a religious trip to Saudi Arabia with my family. This break allowed me to relax a bit, de-stress and focus my mind on the upcoming exam. Once you finally get the qualification, the joy and happiness make the hours of studying worthwhile.’
Ally is looking forward to a career as a chartered accountant using his newly acquired technical and academic skills.
‘My future plans include completing my training contract at Deloitte and then qualifying as a CA. From there, I would like to go into the world of business and hopefully the education I got at UKZN will help me prosper in life and give back to the community.’
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Research into Staff and Job Satisfaction Earns Cum Laude MBAs for Graduates
Mr Roland David (left) and Mr Sudhindra Naidoo graduated with their MBA degrees cum laude.Two students who completed similar research work into staff and job satisfaction were awarded Master of Business Administration degrees cum laude during UKZN’s Law and Management Graduation ceremonies.
Mr Roland David focused his research on: Investigating Staff Perceptions during an Acquisition - The Case Study of the GIBB (Pty) Ltd and SEFSA (Pty) Ltd; while Mr Sudhindra Naidoo examined: Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction at Private Education Institutions in KwaZulu-Natal: A Study on C21 Private School.
David said the motivation for his research was the change in staff perceptions during mergers and acquisitions. He said after the company he was working for had acquired a smaller company, he wanted to understand the perceptions of the changes experienced by the people involved. He said he found that very little research had been done in that area.
David, who already has a Masters in Chemistry, runs his own business on Environmental Consulting in which he hopes to create a large enterprise for young Black environmental scientists to gain experience.
He encouraged others to study towards an MBA. ‘It’s not rocket science - a large percentage of it is practical knowledge proven with theory. Don’t be intimidated by it. You learn so much about yourself doing this degree that you wouldn’t in other studies. It also increases your general understanding of the world around you.’
He thanked Jesus Christ and his family who carried him through. He said his family kept him on track when he got bored. ‘My Lord and Saviour carried me through when time was at a premium and motivation was lacking,’ said David.
Elaborating on his research, Naidoo said since democracy, there had been a rapid expansion of private education institutions. ‘These institutions have played a critical role in assisting in the country’s transformation process and continue to have an important impact on society’s progression.’
Naidoo said based on surveys ‘the field of private education in KwaZulu-Natal has encountered a decrease in employee satisfaction and an increase in worker turnover, both of which were suggestive of diminished worker motivation and reduced employee fulfilment.
‘In the interest of finding a solution to the aforementioned issues and with regards to the long-term sustainability of newly established private education institutions in this province, I decided to explore this area further and hence conducted this study as the basis of my MBA research.
Naidoo said his experience as an undergraduate and postgraduate student at UKZN had been wonderful and enriching. ‘UKZN is an institution that is truly reflective of a democratic South Africa and consistently produces graduates of an exceptionally high calibre. I feel really proud to have obtained my qualifications at such a renowned and historic University.’
Naidoo is an achiever. In 2015 he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and during his MBA studies, he received six Certificates of Merit.
In 2013 he was inducted as a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and between 2012 and 2014 he received 13 Merit Certificates and five Dean’s Commendations.
Naidoo is currently employed as a programme specialist and improvement advisor at the Networking HIV/AIDS Community of South Africa (NACOSA).
Words: Sithembile Shabangu
author : .author email : .MBA Achiever Attributes Success to Grandma
Dr Ntsapokazi Deppa earned herself a cum laude for her MBA degree. Master of Business Administration (MBA) cum laude graduate, Dr Ntsapokazi Deppa, attributes her achievements to her late grandmother who not only raised her but was an advocate for education.
Growing up in rural Idutywa in the Eastern Cape, Deppa said her grandmother’s constant encouragement for her to get a good education led her to focus her MBA research on: The Impact of Education on Economic Growth in South Africa.
She said the results showed that education, except at matric level, had a positive impact on economic growth across all the provinces. The correlation between the matric level and the growth in GDP was only observed in two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
‘I had my first exposure to Economics at MBA level and I was fascinated to the extent I wanted to do a related project. Although lecturers advised us to undertake research projects in line with our main disciplines, I could not find anything in my workspace that I could do, so education and economics became the best fit,’ said Deppa.
‘Education is acknowledged as a crucial mechanism for economic growth in developing countries. The theoretical model of education on economic growth originates from the human capital theory which attests that investing in education yields positive externalities such as increased efficiency and poverty alleviation, productivity, improved technology, better salaries, and innovation and knowledge capacity.
‘This study investigated the impact of all levels of education (primary, secondary, matric and tertiary levels) and the positive externalities such as better salaries, the field of study, and enhanced innovation, research and development, on economic growth in all nine provinces of South Africa using yearly panel data from 2001 to 2014,’ said Deppa.
‘The results emphasise that the South African government must allocate more funding towards education, encourage more innovation, research and development, and focus more on improving the quality of the education system,’ said Deppa.
She said the highlight of her studies was meeting and engaging with people from different disciplines and sectors of industry. Deppa said the study group also became her pillar of strength as members kept her focussed and motivated.
Deppa said there were challenges during her studies. ‘The MBA work volume is very high and it challenges your planning and time management skills because you get bombarded with too many assignments and tests. If you do not plan well you lose your mind!’
Deppa is currently working as a Laboratory Manager at Umgeni Water. ‘I believe that had it not been for my MBA, I would not have got the Umgeni Water position. The qualification has opened doors for me and I am definitely applying the management and leadership skills I learned.’
Words: Sithembile Shabangu
author : .author email : .Doctoral Study Explores Economic Growth Opportunities for the Eastern Cape
UKZN Academic Dr Bhasela Yalezo graduated with a doctoral degree in Business Administration.Concern for slow economic growth rate in the province of the Eastern Cape (EC) prompted Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) academic, Dr Bhasela Yalezo to embark on a research study titled Advancing Gross Fixed Capital Formation Paradigm in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa which earned him a doctoral degree in Business Administration in April.
Under the supervision of UKZN Economist and academic Dr Gerry Bokana, Yalezo’s thesis is an answer to a question that emerged in the Eastern Cape Development Plan which sought to establish the factors that impacted on the rates of investment from both the private and public sectors.
Yalezo’s study revealed that the lack of adequate infrastructure, an integrated investment model and strategy as well as poor political leadership at provincial and local levels were significant contributors to low investment rates. ‘The province does not have an aggressive internal and external investment marketing drive and there is an ambiguous articulation of why the EC is an investment destination,’ he said.
In order to change this bleak picture Yalezo’s study recommends prioritising investment in infrastructure which has a potential to enable the province to improve its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if underpinned by intelligent public sector investment. He believes this strategy will entice investors and lead to industrial expansion and enhance returns on investment in physical capital. He also added strong political leadership and a capable administration as ingredients that will contribute to improved economic growth in the province.
Yalezo has been a participant in the Accelerated Academic Development Programme of the University which is aimed at increasing the number of Black African academics with doctoral degrees. His new achievement also enables the University to realise its transformation agenda.
Commenting on his achievement he said: ‘I feel it is a monumental stepping-stone to greater things yet to come. A doctoral degree gives you the platform to be recognised by other universities in the whole world.’
He is currently enrolled as a part-time student in the LLB programme at UKZN which he juggles with lecturing Economics to Local Economic Development Practitioners at the GSB&L.
On his LLB journey he said: ‘I have always been inspired by professionals and academics such as professors and advocates of the high court Bonke Dumisa and Walter Geach who were my lectures. They were very diverse in the professional spectrum. I am moving in that direction.’
Words: Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Growing the Next Generation of Academics a Priority for Masters Graduate
Master of Commerce in Economics graduate and scholarship recipient, Mr Doctor Sangweni with his mom, Ms Basho Sangweni.UKZN’s Talent Excellence and Equity Scholarship recipient, Master of Commerce in Economics graduate Mr Doctor Sangweni, is excited about his future in academia.
The scholarship is awarded to 10 students annually to pursue a master’s degree and do research in the field of economics.
‘Recently there has been growing concern regarding the increasing public debt/GDP ratio and its potential for adverse effects on the ability of policy makers to achieve their objectives,’ said Sangweni.
‘In line with this, my research was on: Inflation Dynamics: the Role of Public Debt in South Africa.
‘South Africa is an inflation-targeting country - a policy aimed at achieving price stability and hence macroeconomic stability. My investigations show that in South Africa’s case, the ratio of debt/GDP is relatively small compared to other developed and developing countries, however, any shocks to the ratio create a significant inflationary response,’ said Sangweni.
The study, supervised by Professor Harold Ngalawa, also highlights the importance of fiscal discipline and recommends that policy makers monitor the stance of fiscal balance.
‘The thesis came at the right time as the government faces immense pressure from the public to provide free tertiary education to help correct imbalances of the past and promote equal opportunities for all,’ said Sangweni.
‘Based on the research, increasing taxes is the only sensible way to achieve this. Borrowing to finance this spending would have significant adverse effects for the economy, ranging from an unstable growing debt/GDP ratio to high and persistent inflation, undermining confidence in the South African market,’ he added.
Sangweni is a member of the Westville Chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society and also the Macroeconomics Working Group (MWG) - a body of economists comprising academic staff and postgraduate students from the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance.
His future plans include completing his PhD and expanding his role in the private sector as the co-founder of Dolsden Oracle (Pty) Ltd, a business consulting firm handling private and public sector assignments.
‘None of this would have been possible without the support of my family and friends as well as the academic and administration staff of my School, especially my supervisor whom I have learned so much from.
‘I thank God almighty for carrying me this far - I owe it all to Him.’
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Graduate Learned to Cope with Blindness
Mr Lucky Shange received a standing ovation when his mother Ms Thembi Dlodlo walked him across the graduation stage. Masters graduate Mr Lucky Shange’s goal had been to become a top-class footballer after he was chosen to represent KwaZulu-Natal towards the end of 1999 but his hopes were dashed when he lost his eyesight.
The almost overnight loss of his vision remains somewhat of a mystery but over the years he has learned to cope. Shange said there were challenges as he suffered from depression after being hospitalised for many months with diabetes and meningitis.
The thesis for his Master of Commerce degree was titled: Key Success Factors for Implementing a Workplace Skills Plan: A Case Study of the Limpopo Department of Education. Shange’s work was supervised by UKZN academic Dr Thea van der Westhuizen and it is based on the research supported in part by the National Research Foundation of South Africa.
‘As a football player I wanted nothing to do with books, I only attended school out of respect for my parents and because of the school’s football club where I was a member,’ said Shange.
However, his priorities changed and his academic qualifications now include a Bachelor of Arts degree as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Management from UKZN, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from Regents and an honours degree from MANCOSA!
Shange is currently employed as a Human Capital Development Practitioner at the SA Social Security Agency in Nelspruit. He previously worked in the skills and training unit of the Department of Education in Limpopo, which led to his research interests in the area of skills development.
He remembers being encouraged by medical staff in the hospital and his mother to go back to school and he later heeded the call and enrolled at Zamokuhle Special School in the Eastern Cape. ‘When I met other students with disabilities I decided to take life head on.’
While at Zamokuhle, Shange interacted with blind UKZN student Ms Zodwa Zwane and that boosted his confidence and he later registered as a UKZN student.
He commended UKZN for the support it gives students living with disabilities.
Shange has written a short story about his life titled: Eliminating the Limits and is currently translating it from English into isiZulu with plans to launch it in the public arena before the end of the year.
Words: Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Local Banking Executive Motivates Commerce Graduates
Guest speaker Mr Faisal Mkhize, Managing Principal of Absa Group in KwaZulu-Natal, addressing Commerce graduates.UKZN alumnus and Managing Principal of Absa Group in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Faisal Mkhize, delivered an inspirational address to commerce graduates in one of UKZN Graduation ceremonies.
In his opening remarks Mkhize reminded the graduates of the remarkable example set by the late statesman Dr Nelson Mandela on ethical, selfless and visionary leadership and encouraged them to emulate him as they graduate and start their journey in the business world.
He said: ‘Madiba could have been satisfied to be a successful black lawyer running their law practice with Oliver Tambo but he was moved by the injustice he saw against his people by a brutal system. This drove him to dedicate his life to the freedom of all the people of South Africa.’
Mkhize cautioned graduates not to equate success with financial success but focus on being passionate about contributing meaningfully to local economic development by being active participants in the transformation of the South African economy.
‘Leaders who do not seek success but rather seek to serve the ones they love, the job they love, the community they love and the country they love, tend to display the ethical leadership which this country greatly needs. To be a graduate is a gift of intelligence but to serve others is a choice,’ he said adding that as new graduates they have an added responsibility to make the country work.
Words: Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Primary School Principal Leads by Example
Master of Business and Administration graduate Ms Thembekile Ndlovu with her family.Challenges facing education in South Africa such as discipline problems in schools, the literacy crisis and the constant shift in the educational curriculum require educators to lead from the front and Masters of Business and Administration (MBA) graduate Ms Thembekile Ndlovu is doing just that!
As the principal of Inanda’s Khanyanjalo Primary School, the President and Chairperson of the South African Principals Association and an adjudicator of the National Teaching Awards, Ndlovu says leadership requires special skills.
‘It is at primary school level whereas a teacher “I can make it or break it” for each child who passes through my hands. I am passionate about teaching the “total child”, observing the progress, realising the potential and building on that,’ said Ndlovu.
‘As a leader, I enjoy instructional leadership for curriculum delivery and encourage all my teachers to do their best. Sharing our good and best practices as school leaders in South Africa and internationally has enhanced my approach to leadership and I strive for excellence at all times,’ she said.
In her MBA research titled: Leadership Challenges Facing Female School Principals in the Durban INK Area, Ndlovu explores challenges female principals face as school leaders in the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) areas in Durban. The study was supervised by Dr Cecile Proches.
‘The research led to women leaders talking openly about their experiences in school leadership and has provided a platform to share good practices and willingness to face the challenges head on. The findings were very interesting and gave meaning to what we see taking place in education today,’ said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu says her MBA has given her a new perspective to make changes where she can and inspire others to do the same.
‘What is happening in schools these days, especially the bad behaviour of children, is sad and unacceptable. Parents have a huge responsibility to inculcate morals and respect in their children. Rights are balanced with responsibilities and the code of conduct at schools should clearly state the consequences of bad behaviour and be strictly enforced.
‘The MBA has taught me more than I anticipated. I have learned how to lead my school as a business. Though it is a non-fee-paying school, I am already making a huge difference in leadership not only in my school but also in the community and in the country,’ said Ndlovu.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .UKZN’s Top 10 Student Researcher Graduates with PhD
Excited graduate, Dr Adebayo Kutu received his PhD during the Law and Management Studies Graduation ceremony. Doctoral graduate Dr Adebayo Kutu’s academic journey has been studded with outstanding academic achievements.
Kutu’s awards include being named among the Top 10 student researchers at UKZN for 2016 indicating he has performed consistently with his research papers published over the past few years in journals recognised and accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
He has also published eight articles from his PhD thesis; received the 2016 UKZN Doctoral Research Scholarship which is awarded to one doctoral candidate in each College who is in the top five percent in the categories of intellectual strength, research aptitude and purposefulness as motivated by evidence, and also graduated with his Masters of Commerce Degree with distinction in 2013.
‘Though studying is challenging, I was fortunate that because of my status as a top student my tuition fees, cost of living and attendance at local and international conferences were funded by the University and the College of Law and Management Studies,’ said Kutu. ‘My family’s educational drive keeps me going and I am happy I am following in the steps of my brother Professor Funso Kutu who is a Soil Scientist at North-West University.’
Kutu’s cutting-edge doctoral research supervised by Professor Harold Ngalawa focuses on the Monetary Policy Shocks and Industrial Output in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - a group of emerging market economies (EMEs) with similar interests generally referred to as BRICS.
‘The study is of strategic importance in helping boost the growth of the industrial sector and employment. It sheds light on divergent views on the process through which monetary policy affects industrial output in BRICS countries. My research established that area-wide monetary policy affects industrial output in recessions and expansions and that the BRICS countries have similar business cycles.
This is the first investigation to use a Panel Structural Vector Autoregressive model (P-SVAR) to study a bloc of countries worldwide and also the first to examine monetary policy shocks and industrial production in BRICS countries,’ explained Kutu.
With his goal to becoming a professional economist, Kutu is first cementing his academic career by working as a researcher at the Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD) and being a convener for the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance Macroeconomics Research Working Group (MWG).
‘I have a lot of responsibilities especially with teaching, assisting fellow researchers and student consultations. The PhD will enhance my critical thinking, complex problem solving, and correct decision-making in my working place as I have the ambition to challenge and push myself to new heights,’ he added.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Learning is for Life, says PhD Graduate
PhD graduate and UKZN lecturer, Dr Patricia Shewell surrounded by her family. A firmly held belief that learning is a life-long process is what motivates PhD graduate and Management Accounting lecturer Dr Patricia Shewell.
Shewell, who obtains her doctorate from UKZN exactly 40 years after finishing matric, said pursuing a PhD was an important learning experience for an academic.
‘I felt I needed a new career challenge and doing a PhD provided that challenge. Getting a doctorate is a necessary first step in being able to apply for a promotion but I think it is also an important learning experience for an academic. The experience prepares you to be able to help those you will later supervise and getting it so long after finishing matric is proof that one should never think the learning process is over,’ said Shewell.
Her thesis was titled: Towards Value-Adding Performance: A Finance Function Performance Metric for the South African Freight Forwarding Industry.
The overall aim of her research was to establish whether information overload exists in South African shipping companies and if the overload is being formally managed using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in performance measurement of the finance function to show the importance of measuring performance.
The study was supervised by Professor Stephen Migiro.
‘There’s no evidence of the importance of measuring performance being critically tested previously and in addition, my research expands the range of applications of DEA. Post PhD, I now have more time to dedicate to my students again and I am also enjoying starting to supervise a bit more and passing on some of what I learnt,’ said Shewell.
Although her PhD journey started out as a new career challenge it ended up reigniting her passion for teaching and learning and reinforcing her faith.
‘I have strong faith, hence the first acknowledgement in my PhD is to my God who makes the impossible possible, which was true of my PhD journey. A huge benefit was also being part of a College of Law and Management Studies research cohort with colleagues who were also working on their doctorates. I am extremely grateful to these colleagues for the interest they showed in my research and for their support,’ said Shewell.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Future Looks Bright for BCom Accounting Cum Laude Graduates
Mr Kerwin Marais (left) and Ms Yadika Dhaniram graduated cum laude for their Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree.Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) cum laude graduates Ms Yadika Dhaniram and Mr Kerwin Marais are excited about being chartered accountants.
For Dhaniram her career path has always been clear and this qualification is her first step.
‘This qualification enabled me to pursue my Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting this year in order to fulfil my goal of becoming a chartered accountant. The experience has been life-changing,’ said Dhaniram.
‘I have learnt so much not only academically but it has also changed my thought process and my leadership abilities. The qualification is worthwhile because the emphasis is placed on accountants and auditors being ethical, transparent and accountable, not only in commerce and industry but in other sectors as well,’ she added.
Marais is on the same wave length! ‘I have dreamed of becoming a chartered accountant since the age of 13. It was like a fire burning within me. Ever since then all my goals and strategies revolved around becoming a chartered accountant. There are many businesses all over the world, which means that financial affairs need to be governed properly in order for the company to survive. This means that there will always be a demand for quality people in my field,’ said Marais.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .2018 Mrs Commonwealth SA Finalist Awarded an MBA
Master of Business Administration graduate Mrs Commonwealth SA finalist, Ms Marlene Govender.Seven months ago Ms Marlene Govender quit her job as the General Manager responsible for marketing, sales and events at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) to complete her Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at UKZN’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership.
Little did she know then that she would graduate this year wearing a Mrs Commonwealth SA finalist sash!
It was the current Mrs Commonwealth SA, Dr Anneline Chetty, who encouraged Govender to enter the Mrs Commonwealth SA pageant and she was hooked! ‘I had never considered being in a pageant but the Mrs Commonwealth SA pageant resonated with me as it is more than just a beauty pageant – it’s a women empowerment programme and an empowerment movement,’ said Govender.
Her MBA thesis was titled: An Evaluation of the Impact of the Durban International Convention Centre on the Economy, which she completed under the supervision of Dr Mihalis Chasomeris.
The study was motivated by Govender’s belief in convention centres being strategic conduits to deliver economic development, job creation, small business development and knowledge transfer opportunities.
Govender combined her experience in the business tourism industry, the newly acquired knowledge gained in the MBA programme and her passion for making a difference in the socioeconomic well-being of local communities to start her own business known as The Market Masters International.
‘I am now doing what I love! I leverage opportunities in my current role as an entrepreneur as my focus is on the creation of entrepreneurship, innovation, and socioeconomic wealth. I am constantly looking at collaboration and inspiring other women to become entrepreneurs and not to give up.’
She also hosts a television show: The Market Masters – Keeping it Real, on a new online TV channel, SKYE TV by PSK Computer Solutions. She plans to use this platform to address real challenges facing the youth, entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses, and business challenges in general.
Before the Mrs Commonwealth SA final in October, Govender will support various initiatives including the Breast Cancer Awareness NPO, Pink Drive and prepare for the international pageant in London in 2019.
Acquiring her MBA has inspired her children to consider further studies while she hopes to do a doctorate in marketing neuroscience or consumer psychology.
* To support Govender on the Mrs Commonwealth SA pageant journey, SMS Marlene to 35554.
Words: Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Masters Degree for Health Economics Researcher
Ms Taruna Chetty graduated with a Masters degree in Economics.Raised by parents who are both academics at UKZN, Ms Taruna Chetty who graduated with a Masters degree in Commerce (Economics) attributes her success to them, her family and friends.
She said her mom, Professor Marnormoney Pillay of the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences in the Infectious Diseases Cluster, had been a great supporter. ‘She has been an absolute pillar of strength over the years, providing continuous support and encouragement, and always leading by example.’
Her father, Professor Balakrishna Pillay, who is Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning officiated the Graduation ceremony at which she received her degree.
Chetty researched about the Cost-Effectiveness of Using SMS Technology to Increase the Uptake of Voluntary Counselling and Testing For HIV/AIDS in Kenya.
Chetty’s keen interest and passion for public health issues and the financing involved, resulted in her doing an investigation focused on health economics.
‘My research examined the use of standardised cost-effectiveness estimates in priority setting within the South African Healthcare sector,’ explained Chetty.
She worked as a Budget and Policy Analyst in the Public Finance Division of the South African National Treasury between 2009 and 2012, and said she was fortunate to be guided by Dr Mark Blecher, the Chief Director: Health and Social Development in the completion of her Honours research project.
‘During my tenure at the National Treasury, I became aware of the serious challenges facing our country and the African continent in dealing with the scourge of HIV/AIDS and TB. It was then that I made up my mind to be a part of the fight against this syndemic.’
Chetty said balancing her work, studies and being a young wife was one of her biggest challenges. ‘I also found the dissertation writing process very challenging for both my honours and master’s degrees.’
Chetty said students interested in pursuing a career in Health Economics needed to be aware that it could be a challenging field of study but ‘it is extremely rewarding when you think of the long-term impact of your work on those burdened by disease and ill health’.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, she said students should always remember that ‘education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world’.
Chetty is currently employed as a Research Fellow at CAPRISA where she is completing health economics projects. She intends registering for a PhD later this year.
Words: Sithembile Shabangu
author : .author email : .CA Hopefuls Graduate Top of Their Class
Summa cum laude Bachelor of Commerce graduates Mr Arjun Nandlal and Ms Suwayfa Abdul Karrim.Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) summa cum laude graduates Mr Arjun Nandlal and Ms Suwayfa Abdul Karrim consider the honour of being top of their class as just fruits for all the hard work they put into their studies.
Nandlal, who received the Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarship awarded to the five top-ranked undergraduates proceeding from first-year to second-year study in each of UKZN’s four Colleges in 2016, says graduating with distinction is his best ever academic achievement.
‘The sheer amount of time, effort, determination and other related aspects necessary simply to pass this degree are daunting,’ said Nandlal. ‘Difficulties aside, it is very gratifying to receive a satisfactory set of results and to see the culmination of one’s efforts result in graduating summa cum laude,’ he said.
Nadlal is currently studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting on the path towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.
‘The CA (SA) qualification is regarded as one of the best in the world in its field, owing partly to SAICA’s stringent requirements in relation to becoming, and remaining, a CA (SA),’ he said. ‘The qualification is also quite flexible and allows for many possible options in commerce and related professional fields. Therefore, Chartered Accountants are often in high demand, both locally and internationally.’
Karrim, who was awarded the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship in 2017, says she is grateful that she could make her late mother proud.
‘My mum, who had always been my motivation, passed on when I was 16 and I am really grateful to my dad and my sister who always ensured I was given all the emotional support I needed. I worked extremely hard throughout my qualification, which never went unrecognised at UKZN,’ she said.
Her achievements include being placed in the Top three for Accounting at the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) awards, a ceremony held by the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance in partnership with SAICA to celebrate its top achievers.
‘I am currently completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting that will enable me to write the SAICA ITC exam which I am hoping to pass. After that, I will complete my training contract on the road to becoming a CA,’ she said.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .