During the past school holidays Grade 11 and 12 learners interested in a career in accounting attended various development camps hosted by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
The week-long camps were offered in partnership with provincial Departments of Education, universities and members of the accounting profession. Extra lessons to improve learners' performance in Mathematics, Science and Accounting were supplemented with career information and training in life skills to help them make appropriate career choices.
A number of BAcc students from the SU School of Accountancy served as camp leaders and mentors at the various camps across South Africa. While their main objective was to transfer their knowledge and experience to learners, the camps also stimulated them to become aware of their own potential and awakened their awareness of their responsibility as future managers and leaders.
According to Prof Riaan Rudman, Auditing lecturer at the SU School of Accountancy, SU students and staff have been involved with these camps in one way or another for more than 15 years.
“Not only are our students involved," he said "my colleague, Jamie Mannet, helped organise the Western Cape camp and assisted with selecting camp leaders, while I drove more than 1 500 km to visit the camps in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State and the Western Cape."
Rudman added that even alumni of the School of Accountancy became involved: Stellenbosch alumnus Ms Gavral Speelman, Audit Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, assisted with the training of camp leaders.
“I would like to think that the University mission of transforming local, continental and global communities has become so engrained in graduates' lives that it motivates alumni to contribute towards social impact activities," Rudman said.
SAICA Manager: Learning and Development (Transformation and Growth) Mr Teboho Mohajane, who was responsible for the Bloemfontein camp, thanked all those who helped make the development camps a reality. “It makes a difference to learners' outlook to life beyond grade 12," he said.
- Photo: Some 400 learners attended the Mpumalanga development camp offered by SAICA.
