Accounting Student a Finalist at SAICA Competition

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Second-year BCom Accounting student, Ms Griskha Naicker was selected as a finalist at the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants’ (SAICA’s) Student Leadership Summit (SLS) competition in Johannesburg.

The SLS is a thought leadership competition in which students studying towards a BCom CA-stream qualification at SAICA-accredited institutions are tasked with devising solutions to problems that confront South Africa and the world at large.

Entrants were challenged to put together a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) focused business case that illustrated how they would empower and improve the country through a community-based project that works towards achieving one or more of the United Nations’ SDGs. They presented the case to a panel of esteemed business leaders.

Naicker’s business case, Community Fridge - a feeding scheme for students using surplus fruits, vegetables and other non-perishable foods that are safe for human consumption addressed Goal 2 - Zero hunger and Goal 3 - Good health and well-being.

‘I entered the competition as I believe that hunger and nutrition insecurity has a great impact on student performance. By meeting other contestants and attending leadership workshops, I realised the importance of our community-based projects in helping the accounting profession to work towards solutions for a better tomorrow. I was shown how we as students can play a role as future business leaders of South Africa,’ said Naicker.

‘This experience has showed me that, to be a future business leader, I need to focus on sustainability before anything else as early in my career as possible. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet business leaders and gain advice on how to succeed in my career,’ she added.

At the summit, she received business mentoring and leadership coaching and visited community-based projects already in play to assist her in starting her own project.

Naicker was amongst the top five of the 160 entrants. The overall winner was Mr Bonginkosi Kalipa from the University of Johannesburg who received funding to launch his project.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

Photograph: Supplied