Thuthuka Bursaries for UKZN BCom Accounting Students

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UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance (SAEF) has welcomed 17 Thuthuka Bursary Fund (TBF) recipients into its Accounting programme following a rigorous review process by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

The Thuthuka Bursary programme is a transformation initiative of accountants aimed at encouraging previously disadvantaged African pupils to pursue a career in Chartered Accountancy (CA). The programme is in line with UKZN’s Strategic Goal 2 which is to produce graduates with knowledge, skills and networks to build meaningful and agile careers that can be sustained and adapted over the course of their lifetime.

The Accounting profession is under immense pressure to produce African chartered accountants which seems to be a challenge judging by the throughput in the past few years.

UKZN has additional support systems in place to help accounting students academically, socially and professionally with the aim of bridging the throughput gap while inspiring student excellence.

The recipients spent the last week of January involved in an orientation programme where they received practical tips on “how to survive” and achieve success during their academic careers, participated in team building activities and heard success stories from African CAs who faced early challenges in their studies and careers.

Former Accounting lecturer and UKZN Bursary Fund Programme Manager Ms Hlengiwe Ndlela was at Orientation Week, sharing details on her academic and career journey and passing on tips and tricks to help recipients survive and excel during their years at UKZN and beyond.

‘It’s been an exciting yet busy week with the “Thuthuka Babies”, Class of 2024,’ said Ndlela. ‘It was encouraging to see them move from being worried and overwhelmed to connecting, teaming up and working together as a team. We ended the week with a fun filled team building day, preparing them for the semester ahead!’ said Ndlela.

Bursary recipients and first-year students, Ms Andile Khumalo and Mr Ziphozethu Mtambo shared their appreciation for this opportunity and how excited they are for the journey ahead.

‘Thuthuka is so welcoming and supportive. They prepared us for the journey ahead by inviting professionals who have walked the same path to share different study tips that worked for them,’ said Khumalo.

‘I was happy when I found out that I got a Thuthuka bursary because since high school it has been my dream to be a CA. I have seen and read articles about CA’s who were once TBF beneficiaries succeeding in life, and getting the chance to live out my dream is humbling.’

‘One thing I enjoyed about orientation week is that Thuthuka encourages us to speak up whenever we are faced with challenges. This is great as it shows that they are also invested in our mental wellbeing,’ said Mtambo. For more on the bursary, visit: https://www.thuthukabursaryfund.co.za/ 

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

Photograph: Samkelisiwe Cele