Aristotle had a fairly dim view of business and toil, which he cynically described as merely utilitarian − a necessity but not enriching or ennobling human life. These days few would question that businesses make huge contributions to human life in the form of paying taxes, providing employment, and creating investment opportunities and goods and…
In recent years, the viability and sustainability of public institutions have come under severe pressure. The competition for public funds in light of increasing fiscal pressures has pitted departments and institutions against each other and forced all stakeholders to think creatively about how to manage resources. What remains undisputed is that such institutions remain central…
For this women’s month issue, I wanted to place the spotlight on someone who I believe is an amazing leader and influencer in the social entrepreneurship and social impact space: Laura Bergh. Laura Bergh describes herself as having the mind of a philosopher, the heart of an environmentalist and the curiosity of a detective. All…
‘Challenge’ is a word that Portia Ravhuhali knows all too well, having faced one challenge after another before setting up her own practice, Namusi Chartered Accountant INC. Furthermore, as chairperson of Sovereign Africa Ratings (SAR), she is challenging perceptions about how Africa does business. Portia describes her career as a CA(SA) as a ‘journey’ –…
Never give up! If you listen to the most successful people who have achieved great things in life, you’re bound to hear them mention these three simple words somewhere in their story. Rudzani Mandiwana is one of those. Despite some severe setbacks, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a CA(SA). She qualified…
Here’s a shocking statistic: around 46% of South Africa’s youth are unemployed. That’s not only an economic disaster; it’s a social one, too – which is why Kasthuri Soni, CEO of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, is determined to help find solutions; a goal her organisation is achieving by working with an ecosystem of other change…
The Wits School of Accountancy, where Naledi Nkhi is a senior lecturer, recently received $10 million from an anonymous alum. Accompanying the donation was a request that the school be renamed after Margot Steele, the first female head of the school. ‘That shows the influence that educators can have on society; the power we have…
The fluidity of music may seem worlds apart from the precision of numbers, but Joanne Coetsee has succeeded in bringing together both realms so that she is able to nurture her many diverse interests. Joanne recalls that she started singing lessons on the very same day she received the news that she had qualified as…
While the headwinds faced by women are well documented, Thembeka Maseko CA(SA) believes women themselves can play a role in changing the status quo. Thembeka Maseko CA(SA) recoils through the glass ceiling. At this instant she’s almost six minutes into a quote about headwinds faced by women in the workplace. ‘Globally, we’ve come a long…
Lawyer Ansie Ramalho has been a crucial contributor to the accounting profession for the past 30 years. As chair of the King Committee, she is one of the country’s leading experts in corporate governance and is also a vastly experienced non-executive director. Ansie has made decisions for companies with billions invested into the capital markets…