Stellenbosch University
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Celebrating 15 years of helping students to realise their dreams
Author: Sybil Smit & Ronél Beukes
Published: 04/08/2022

​The Thuthuka Stellenbosch programme, an initiative aimed at encouraging previously disadvantaged learners to pursue a career as chartered accountants, recently celebrated its 15th anniversary at Stellenbosch University with a gala dinner and dance.

Thuthuka is a Zulu verb meaning "to develop," which is exactly the purpose of this project of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Through comprehensive support programmes by the Thuthuka Bursary Fund and the Thuthuka Education Upliftment Fund, SAICA has helped thousands of students to realise their dreams.

The theme of the gala event was Night at the Oscars. Guest speaker, Mr Uwais Asmal, an alumnus of the SU School of Accountancy, shared his career journey with the students and gave valuable tips on study and exam techniques. He is now a chartered accountant and the head of advisory services at Outsourced CFO. He is also a social media influencer on platforms such as LinkedIn, YouTube and Clubhouse.

Launched in 2007 with 20 first-year students, the Stellenbosch Thuthuka programme, has developed to include almost 100 BAccounting students from first year to postgraduate level annually. It has three main components to support students, namely academic support; life skills (which are taught in residences, workshops and via practical work experience at auditing firms); and serving (as part of SU's community service projects).

Said Mrs Sybil Smit, Lecturer at the School of Accountancy, “We look back over the past 15 years with great gratification, knowing that the Stellenbosch Thuthuka programme has made a difference in many students' lives, as well as those of their families and communities."

“Seeing the majority of our students becoming well-rounded chartered accountants makes us proud and thankful to be part of this programme," she added.

  • We would like to thank SAICA, Stellenbosch University, the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and especially the staff of the School of Accountancy who all work together in the best interests of our students to make the Stellenbosch Thuthuka programme a success.

  • Photo: Second-year Accountancy students at the Night at the Oscars event. To view more photos, click here​.