from TVET colleges. She also feels that significant benefits could be derived from formalising FASSET’s funding programme through the implementation of an MOU with stated targets. “This would be sure to boost throughout”, she says. Bank on sustainable programmes The Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA), which focuses on education and training in the banking sector, is another SETA that has contributed to the Thuthuka programme. Mia Makhanya, Chairperson of the BANKSETA’s Board, explains that BANKSETA’s ambit encompasses other commerce related fields too, including ICT and Engineering fields, which is why there is strong alignment between its goals and those of Thuthuka. “Both entities are geared towards upskilling people so that they can contribute as economic agents, not only in the banking sector but in the greater economy”, she observes. As part of this, BANKSETA collaborated with Thuthuka, along with the University of Johannesburg, the University of Venda (Univen) and the University of Zululand (UNIZULU), in a multi-million-rand project, equipping the latter two tertiary institutions with the ability to offer a professional accounting science degree.
60 | Public Sector Leaders | July 2021
This has helped to make education more accessible, by paving the way for both Venda and Zululand universities to receive SAICA accreditation in 2018. “These institutions are now able to welcome learners wishing to study for an accredited B. Com, so that they can go on to qualify as CAs(SA)”, Makhanya says.
“We feel that partnerships such as this are critical. Skills development cannot be left to the government alone”, concludes Makhanya. n
The number of students who took advantage of the universities’ new status is proof of the need for the programme: around 400 students enrolled in UNIZULU’s accounting undergraduate programme following its accreditation.
around 400 students enrolled in UNIZULU’s accounting undergraduate programme following its accreditation
Mia Makhanya
Chairperson | BANKSETA’s Board
Furthermore, at Univen, 37 students went on to receive awards of excellence for their performance in various modules. Although the four-year project came to an end in 2018, BANKSETA has continued to support strategic projects that have the potential to develop appropriate skills, and is eager to do more work of this nature – especially in areas where factors such as geography impeded access to education and, by extension, industry transformation.
To Partner with Thuthuka contact Address: 17 Fricker Road Illovo, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196 Website: https://www.saica.org.za/ initiatives/thuthuka Phone: 0861 072 422 Email: saica@saica.co.za
