Reveling in the Science of Business
Bachelor of Business Science summa cum laude graduates, Ms Mishka Mohanlall (left) and Ms Priyanka Harrichurran.A love for figures and finance are behind the academic success of two young UKZN graduates.
Bachelor of Business Science summa cum laude graduates Ms Priyanka Harrichurran and Ms Mishka Mohanlall, are excited about what the future holds for them.
Harrichurran who achieved seven distinctions in her matric year, says her love of numbers led to her studying for a Bachelor of Business Science degree.
She lost her grandmother a day before one of her main exams but, although she was extremely traumatised, she still insisted on writing the paper. ‘Completing this qualification required mental and emotional strength that I did not know I even had. I know that my grandmother would have been proud of me for never giving up on my dreams,’ she said
Harrichurran, who is currently studying towards a Master of Commerce (Economics) degree, says the experience she gained at undergraduate level has given her a strong foundation to take on this year.
Mohanlall loves a challenge and this made Business Science an obvious choice for her. Once at university, she soon realised that she had made the right decision as she was awarded the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship award for top performance. ‘I believe that my love and passion for what I studied is the reason behind my academic success,’ she said.
This achievement is largely attributable to her support system - her family. ‘My family has been there for every high and low and they have never stopped believing in me - even when I didn’t believe in myself.’
During her third year of study, Mohanlall won the Allan Gray Achievement Award and is currently working for the company at its Cape Town office.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .Distinguished Teachers’ Award for “Maths Activist”
Dr Msizi Mkhize, lecturer in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, received the Distinguished Teachers’ Award.‘Teaching is a calling. For me, it’s my passion. Receiving the Distinguished Teachers’ Award confirms for me that I am on the right track with my teaching methods and that UKZN appreciates and values my contribution to Teaching and Learning.’ These are the words of Dr Msizi Mkhize, a lecturer in Accounting at UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, who holds Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Commerce degrees.
Mkhize is the author of the Accounting study guide: Grade 12 Accounting: Mathematical Calculations Made Simple, who has developed a maths presentation which encourages learners to talk maths, love maths and see it as an interesting subject.
‘Our maths teacher used to teach one specific method of solving problems but I used my spare time to discover alternate methods,’ said Mkhize. ‘The class would use my methods because they were simple, straight forward and explained solutions in a step-by-step process. I studied ahead so whenever the teacher introduced a topic, I already knew it,’ he said.
In high school, Mkhize used his spare time to assist fellow learners who struggled with the subject. ‘My peers were continuously praising my teaching skills. I realised I had teaching talent so after matric. I joined Indumiso College of Education, now (DUT – Indumiso campus), where I was professionally trained to be a Mathematics and Accounting teacher.’
Mkhize started his teaching career in 1991 at Menzi High School where he introduced commercial subjects and helped learners get distinctions and a 100% pass rate in Grade 12 Accounting annually. ‘I came up with a turnaround strategy for the school and it is now one of the best high schools in the country.’
In his lectures, Mkhize uses what he calls the five Cs: Curiosity, Concentration, Communication, Creativity and Choice. ‘I want my students to have the confidence to tackle unfamiliar mathematical problems in accounting creatively and have fun doing it.’
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .Change of Career Path Results in Completion of Master’s Degree
Ms Zama Gumede graduated with a Master’s in Accountancy.The thought of a Chartered Accountant taking on a master’s degree part-time is daunting considering the huge amount of hard work involved, but for Ms Zama Gumede, it was a challenge she welcomed when she changed careers.
Moving from the corporate world into academia, and with her Master’s in Accountancy degree complete, Gumede now plans to become a highly achieving academic. ‘I want to be a creator of information in the Accounting profession,’ said Gumede.
‘I have a passion for education, its enhancement and its effect on young people. It changed my life and I am always looking for opportunities to enable access to resources and share my knowledge,’ she added.
Gumede is the co-ordinator of the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance’s (SAEF) intervention programme aimed at assisting African students currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.
In her other life, Gumede is the Co-founder of 1Woman1Girl, an organisation involved in mentoring girls in school, while she also serves as Chairperson of the Southern African Accounting Association and as an Executive Committee Member in the African Women Chartered Accountants in the KwaZulu-Natal region.
Her master’s research focused on a management tool, cash flow forecast analysis, used by multinational companies. ‘The same way large multinationals use cash flow forecast analysis to operate effectively and make sound strategic decisions for the direction of the company, so should non-profit organisations.’
Gumede came across many hurdles during her studies, the biggest being losing her grandmother at the conclusion stage of her thesis. ‘It really took a lot to reignite my drive but I soldiered on and turned the pain into motivation to complete.’
Gumede is a lecturer for Advanced Taxation; Acting Academic Leader (Taxation), and Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Co-ordinator at SAEF on UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .Consistent Action Produces Consistent Results, says UKZN Staffer
Mr Damien Kunjal graduated with his Bachelor of Commerce (Business Finance) Honours degree cum laude.‘When I graduated cum laude the first time, I made it a mission to continue at that level and achieve the same result for my postgraduate degree and I did.’
So says Mr Damien Kunjal, who received his Bachelor of Commerce (Business Finance) Honours degree cum laude, having completed his Bachelor of Commerce Degree cum laude, with majors in Finance and Management in 2017.
In first-year, Kunjal was registered as a BCom Accounting student, which was his initial choice from high school. After some time however, he realised it did not suit his personality and he switched to Business Finance.
‘After switching to finance, I realised that it is something that I enjoy and also something I’m good at. Also, the finance degree I did allowed me to branch into various fields of finance, such as investment banking, risk management, and corporate finance,’ he said.
Kunjal received a full bursary from Aspen Pharmacare - one of South Africa’s largest companies - which motivated him to work extra hard to achieve good academic results.
‘The journey was extremely demanding, especially with regards to time management,’ he said. ‘You have to be dedicated and learn how to manage your time efficiently, especially because there are so many tests and assignments with deadlines that are so close to each other. Nevertheless, the good thing about my experience of studying was that it has helped to develop my current character, grooming me into a smart, friendly, and energetic extrovert. The main reason for this was because I spent a lot of my time getting to know new people from diverse backgrounds, and also understanding their different backgrounds,’ he added.
Kunjal, currently the Academic Development Officer for Finance on the Westville campus, is completing his Master’s in Finance, which he also hopes to complete cum laude.
‘My long-term goal is to do my PhD and then enter the world of academia.’
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .Cum Laude Graduates on their Way Towards Becoming Chartered Accountants
From left: Mr Mohammed Mansoor and Ms Safiyya Mohamed obtained their Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting degrees cum laude.Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting cum laude graduates Ms Safiyya Tootla, Ms Tasnim Mahomedy, Mr Ajitesh Singh, and Mr Mohammed Mansoor and are on the road towards becoming Chartered Accountants (CA).
Tootla says achieving the qualification was very useful because it provided her with various financial and management skills together with a choice of career options in the commerce sector.
She was awarded the Magelapuru William Makgoba Scholarship during her first-year of study and says it was a great honour as it had helped build up her confidence and made her realise her potential. ‘The recognition and appreciation by the University gave me a milestone to always remember and hold dear,’ she said.
‘My goal is to complete my Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy this year and go on to serve my articles with PricewaterhouseCoopers to help achieve my CA (SA) designation,’ she added.
For Mahomedy while the degree required a lot of work, he says he was up for the challenge. ‘As I worked and observed the results I was achieving, it motivated me to do even better and gave me the confidence to continue. There were sacrifices that I had to make along the way but they were definitely worth it. I also realised that hard work pays off when I received awards at the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)-UKZN Students Awards ceremony for being a top achiever.’
He is currently registered for a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy and plans to continue with his articles next year. ‘I am motivated to make a mark in not only the corporate environment, but the world as well,’ said Mahomedy.
Singh is currently studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy which he says is the next stepping stone to the realisation of his long-awaited dream and will then serve his articles at KPMG, hopefully going on to be a Registered Auditor (RA).
‘From childhood, I wanted to be a CA. This was attributable to shadowing my dad who was a Chartered Accountant daily and going to see clients with him. Watching him being passionate about his work fired up the passion in me. Since then, at every step of my schooling career, I made decisions that would bring me closer to realising this dream.’
Mansoor plans to use the qualification to qualify as a Chartered Accountant (SA) and be a “captain” in the business world. ‘I love everything about this industry - from the fast-paced, constantly changing environment to the ability to network and interact with hundreds of different individuals. This career will allow me to move forward. It gives me the opportunity to be part of the “lifeblood” of economic activity, and to me, that’s amazing,’ he said.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .Bright Future on the Horizon for Bachelor of Business Science Cum Laude Graduates
Bachelor of Business Science cum laude graduates (clockwise from top left) Mr Michael Baxter, Ms Tiasha Govindasamy, Ms Revania Padayachee and Ms Yasmin Randeree. Bachelor of Business Science cum laude graduates, Mr Michael Baxter, Ms Tiasha Govindasamy, Ms Revania Padayachee, and Ms Yasmin Randeree are well equipped and ready to take the business world by storm!
Baxter says that he was uncertain about which university qualification to pursue after leaving school so he took a gap year. It was during the gap year that he decided on a Business Science degree, specialising in Information Systems and Technology (ISTN) as he considered it the best qualification to gain transferable skills to succeed in any career.
‘I look forward to making an impact wherever I find myself in both the near and distant future - whether that be in NGOs, corporate environments, entrepreneurial ventures or even in a church,’ said Baxter.
‘I know the skills I have gained and lessons I have learned both directly and indirectly at UKZN have equipped me to do just that.’
For Govindasamy, it was her passion for financial markets and investments that first influenced her study choice. ‘I want to contribute to much-needed change within the financial services industry as well as to solve the many challenges our financial services industry faces daily both locally and globally. I also want to contribute and strengthen the global phenomenon of “Women in Finance”, allowing me to showcase the incredible strength and power of women.’
She is currently pursuing a career in corporate investment banking and hopes to continue on to a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification.
Padayachee, who is a College DVC Scholarship recipient, chose to study towards a Bachelor of Business Science Degree with majors in Finance and Economics. This choice was motivated by her keen interest in the area. ‘It is definitely a field that will challenge and excite me,’ she said.
She added that her university experience had been challenging but the dedication and consistency she put into studying and completing assignments definitely made a difference in her achievements.
Padayachee is currently a graduate trainee at Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking. ‘I am so thrilled to be working in a bank as it is something I have aspired to.’
For Randeree the degree was not her first choice as she had first thought of “pursuing something in the health science field”.
‘I enjoyed maths in school so I tried to find something where this would help, and when I read up on Business Science I saw it incorporated a lot of maths.’ This also influenced Randeree to choose economics and statistics as her majors.
‘The journey was not easy,’ she said. ‘There were many sacrifices I had to make in order to put my studies first and achieve the results I did. However, the journey was worthwhile and in the end, my results reflected the effort I put it in.’
Randeree started working at Al Baraka Bank in December last year, and says the qualification was worth it as it provided her with a solid foundation for the workplace.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .Honorary Doctorate for High Profile SA Entrepreneur
UKZN Honorary Doctorate in Economics recipient, Dr Judy Dlamini.Dr Judy Dlamini’s first degree was in Medicine – now 34 years down the line she walked onto the same UKZN stage to receive an Honorary Doctorate in Economics in recognition of her achievements as one of South Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs.
‘I can’t believe it’s been so long! My honorary doctorate, for which I’m truly grateful, is in a different field because after practicing Medicine for 13 years I ventured out into business. I’ve now been in business longer than I have been a Clinician,’ mused Dlamini.
Being back at UKZN, especially on the Westville campus, was very nostalgic for Dlamini because she was born in the area and grew up during the apartheid era with her mom - a primary school teacher - and her father - an entrepreneur – always emphasising the value of education.
‘As a little girl I walked the streets of Westville to catch a bus to school or to the grocery store. More importantly, I remember going to the then University of Durban-Westville (UDW) with my half-sister, uSis Phumzile. When my sister heard I had applied to Medical School, she advised me to also apply at Durban-Westville to do Physiotherapy,’ said Dlamini.
‘Though she didn’t say it outright, I don’t think she believed I would be accepted at Medical School and wanted me to have a plan B. I went with her out of politeness because that was not my dream. In those days you had to apply for ministerial consent to study at a university that was classified for a race group different to your own.
‘Education is a liberator - the education of one person has the power to change outcomes in a village. Educated people who are successful make success accessible in unlikely neighbourhoods.’
With education as her motivation, Dlamini - who also holds an MBA and PhD in Business Leadership - continues to chart her own path, which includes various business ventures in fields such as medicine, retail and property, including the Mbekani Group she founded 22 years ago.
Serving on many boards and embodying the spirit of philanthropy through community outreach initiatives, Dlamini is not willing to let the knowledge she has acquired be solely for her benefit and has shared it in her book: Equal But Different: Women Leaders’ Life Stories – Overcoming Race, Gender and Social Class.
The work relates positive stories of contributions made by ordinary African folk to foster a positive mind-set in youngsters.
She has this advice for students who aim to follow in her footsteps: ‘Entrepreneurship is about hard work and taking calculated risks. You prepare a business plan but the market is almost always different to what you have on paper, so it’s important to understand what the market dictates and respond accordingly. Failure is part of the journey, don’t allow it to define you.
‘There’s always an element of luck but you have no control over that. It’s also important to understand that entrepreneurship is not for everyone. I drop some balls along the way. However, I have a very good support system, the people I work with and my family make it possible for me to try a few things and fail at some but persist. My strength is resilience and a good support system.’
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .Higher Education Transforms Lives of Newcastle Family
Mr Banele Mgabi completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance, Banking and Investment Management with distinction. His family travelled from Newcastle to celebrate with him.UKZN alumnus, Mr Banele Mgabi of Newcastle became the first person in his family to get a university qualification when he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting degree back in 2012.
The achievement inspired his siblings, older brother, Khayelihle, and younger sister, Nomkhosi, to study for Bachelor of Education degrees. Currently, Khayelihle is Head of Department at Isikhalisezwe High School in Newcastle, while Nomkhosi is in her second year of study through UNISA.
Meanwhile, Banele – who was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance, Banking and Investment Management, with distinction, at this year’s UKZN Graduation ceremonies - is a Management Accountant at RCL Foods in Durban and is enrolled for a Master of Commerce in Finance degree focusing on consumer credit behaviour.
At RCL Foods he is responsible for guiding pricing decisions and providing valuable insight to facilitate meaningful discussions around product, financial and operational performance. ‘This new qualification has sharpened my thinking in financial decision-making, especially when faced with limited financial resources,’ said Banele.
Prior to RCL Foods, Banele was employed as a cost accountant at Famous Brands Ltd and was responsible for the full costing function within the manufacturing division.
Discussing his latest academic achievement, he said: ‘This means a lot to me. My academic journey was disturbed in 2012 due to the death of my father two months after I graduated with my Accounting degree.
‘I dedicated my latest qualification to my mother who tirelessly encouraged me to further my studies and use the potential I have to the fullest.
‘This qualification has fully reflected my academic potential as I completed the qualification with distinction, obtaining first class passes for seven out of eight modules studied. I never thought I could achieve such academic grades due to complexities I had to endure while completing my first degree. I am genuinely amazed and very grateful,’ said Banele.
Secure in rewarding jobs thanks to their Higher Education qualifications, Banele and Khayelihle decided to demolish their modest three-roomed house and have built a modern four bedroom home with an en-suite bathroom for their mother, Mrs Regina Mgabi. The brothers are also funding Nomkhosi’s studies through UNISA enabling her to take care of their mother while studying at home. Banele has purchased himself property in Umhlanga.
Regina said she had lost hope when her husband passed on in 2012, however, her children have ‘filled my heart with joy.’ ‘My family are all living a better life now thanks to my sons. We were poor and could not afford university fees and are thus very grateful to all the funders and the University of KwaZulu-Natal,’ she said.
Words: Hazel Langa
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .Future CAs Excited About Career Prospects
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) summa cum laude graduates (from left) Mr Dilan Anirudh, Ms Zahra Hoosen and Mr Prenolin Govender.Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) summa cum laude graduates Mr Prenolin Govender, Mr Dilan Anirudh and Ms Zahra Hoosen are excited about pursuing careers as Chartered Accountants.
After obtaining eight distinctions in his matric year, Govender said he worked hard to get a bursary to study and ease the financial burden on his parents. He was relieved when he received one from Ernst & Young. Govender says he has been passionate about Accounting since his high school years and has found great pleasure in studying the subject at tertiary level at a SAICA recognised institution.
He was among the Top five students to receive the Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarship in his first year of study. He also received the UKZN-SAICA award which, he says was a memorable moment in his university life.
Raised by a single mother, Anirudh says his mother is the sole reason he has put in so much effort in his studies, ‘I want to be able to give her everything she desires to show my appreciation for all the sacrifices she has made for me to be where I am today,’ he said.
To relieve the financial burden on his mother, Anirudh worked while he studied and in so doing, was able to buy his first car when he was 20 years old.
Hoosen, who is also a recipient of the Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarship, says her biggest motivator for the degree was the versatility and international opportunities the accounting profession offers. It was a challenging three years but with her supportive family and her ability to keep calm and focus under pressure, she managed to achieve her goal of becoming a summa cum laude graduate.
‘I come from a very intellectually driven family. We’re always encouraged to learn new things and learn them well. Studying is not a “burden”, it’s a natural part of everyday life, although being an extremely determined and dedicated individual does have its benefits as well,’ she said.
The graduates are all in the process of completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy which will allow them to write the first SAICA board exam and bring them closer to their dream of becoming Chartered Accountants.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .Master’s in Accountancy for Auditor
Manager in the KZN office of the Auditor General, Mr Amos Zungu, with his wife, Mpho. Zungu graduated with a Master’s degree in Accountancy.Mr Amos Zungu, Manager in the KwaZulu-Natal office of the Auditor General, was
capped with a Master’s degree in Accountancy for research he conducted into the
financial discipline at KZN municipalities.
Zungu’s study specifically involved determining a managers’ perceptions of irregular expenditure in the municipalities, councillors’ oversight of such expenditure, and managers’ views on the capacity of Municipal Public Account Committees (MPACs) to fulfil their oversight role.
He found that irregular expenditure harmed the image of local government and impacted negatively on socio-economic transformation. Compliance with Supply Chain Management Regulations remained a problem due to inadequate internal controls.
Zungu said the degree had improved his confidence to assist clients and his audit teams on audit related matters.
‘My Master’s in Accountancy has provided me with confidence to confront real life challenges with confidence, knowing that I am now aware of all accounting standards,’ he said.
‘I work in an auditing environment so a lot of technical issues crop up and my newly-acquired knowledge assists me in giving guidance and coaching to my audit team.
‘A lot of credit must go to my wife Mpho for her unconditional support, as well as my children. A big thank you also to my employer, Auditor - General of South Africa (AGSA) for their support and for providing a conducive environment for me to further my studies. The academic success of my colleagues also kept me motivated,’ said Zungu.
He thanked his supervisor Dr Msizi Mkhize for his motivation and guidance.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .PhD Graduate Dedicates Doctorate to his Community
A proud moment for Dr Ntokozo Nzimande as he is capped with his PhD in Economics.School of Economics, Accounting and Finance (SAEF) lecturer Mr Ntokozo Nzimande who graduated with his PhD in Economics, dedicated the doctorate to his community situated in a rural area near Port Shepstone on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.
A good education has always been a priority for Nzimande, but he never saw himself going as far as a PhD.
‘With our economy struggling and the high rate of unemployment, many of the young people where I come from have given up and are taking drugs as a coping mechanism for the things happening around them. That would have been me if I did not make a choice to never give up,’ said Nzimande.
‘To me it’s not just a qualification. It is motivation for others that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to.’
His thesis examined the feasibility of a monetary union or single currency in the SADC region and the goal was to stimulate the discussion in the academic and policy-making arenas.
The thesis is making an impact already, having been cited and receiving positive feedback from examiners. It has been suggested, says Nzimande, that he should upgrade it into a bigger project as it contributes a lot to the ongoing debate about the possibility of a monetary union in SADC.
Moreover, the findings of the study have been presented at several conferences both locally and internationally in countries such as Japan, China, Hungary, and Cyprus.
Nzimande is grateful to his supervisor, Professor Harold Ngalawa, for his expertise and guidance and also acknowledged SAEF for making sure his workload was kept to a minimum.
‘I’m also very grateful to my family, especially my dad and late mom. They both never finished school but they instilled in me the importance of education. And to my children, Lulonke and Lonwabo who have seen very little of me during this time - I want this to be an inspiration to them, that even when challenges arise, they can achieve anything they set their minds on,’ said Nzimande.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Rogan Ward
author : .author email : .