R64m for training of accounting students

The government has invested R64 million in the University of Venda over four years to ensure that the university receive their South African Institute of Charted Accountants (SAICA) chartered accountant accreditation.

It came through a partnership between Univen, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the Bankseta.

“Since we became partners last year, the Univen students have produced good results,” said Ms Chantly Mulder of SAICA during a recent media briefing at Polokwane.

She discussed the benefits of the Thuthuka busary fund for rural students and said that they wanted to provide a platform where students could study and reach their potential, knowing that their education was of the best quality. ”We want to restore the profession of chartered accountants all over the country and produce responsible leaders,” she said.

Mulder added that UJ was a critical partner in the project and provided strategic support and guidance to Univen staff.

The partnership involving the Bankseta, Univen, UJ and Saica will enable the university to offer a BCom (Accounting) degree, and maintain teaching and learning standards that are consistent with the demands of the chartered accountancy profession.

Mulder indicated that the project started in January 2014, with a group of 50 first-year students, many of whom came from Limpopo. Students will study for a four-year BCom (Accounting) degree at Univen, and a certificate in the theory of accounting (CTA) at UJ. It is envisaged that the project will assist 350 students at the end of this four-year period.

She said that Saica wanted Univen, as a rural-based institution, to gain the same recognition as students at other universities. "We currently have 148 candidates at Univen who are beneficiaries of Thuthuka.We provide students with accommodation, textbook fees, pocket money, tuition fees and support activities such as tutorials. We want to ensure that their needs are taken care of, so that they can concentrate on their studies without financial worries,” Mulder explained.

Date:17 April 2015

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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