ASA March 2026
Editorial
Milestones, mandates, and modern leadership
The 2026 March issue of ASA magazine arrives at a significant juncture for our economy. Following the 2026 National Budget Speech in February, our FOCUS section provides a comprehensive analysis of a fiscal roadmap defined by the winds of change. With gross debt finally projected to stabilise and the introduction of inflation-linked tax adjustments, the budget signals a pragmatic shift toward growth. This is a critical moment for those who resonate with making a difference to act as navigators for their clients and organisations through these stabilising yet complex economic waters.
As we dissect the national mandate, we also pause to celebrate the human capital that makes our profession resilient. I extend my warmest congratulations to every candidate who successfully passed the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). This achievement is a monumental milestone, representing years of grit and discipline.
A special salute goes to those who reached the prestigious APC Honours Roll. Ofentse Modiba, one of the seven candidates on this roll, reflects a proud moment as a Thuthuka beneficiary. Ofentse’s journey vividly illustrates SAICA’s strategic pillar of attractiveness and transformation, proving that when we remove barriers to entry through the Thuthuka Education Upliftment Fund, excellence has no limits!
In the spirit of International Women’s Month, we profile two women who embody the versatility of the modern designation:
Gizelle Venske CA(SA) and a Miss South Africa Top 5 Gizelle represents a cohort building careers rooted in purpose and flexibility. From her roots in Vanderbijlpark to her new role at VAT IT, she views her qualification as a key to ‘unlocking doors’. Despite academic setbacks in her Honours year, her resilience led her to the Miss SA stage to advocate for youth employment and financial literacy.
As Head of Financial Management at Wesgro, Razaan Bester CA(SA) views financial leadership as an enabler of trust and impact. Through her NPC, She CAn, she creates access and self-empowerment for young women from the Cape Flats and beyond. Her mission is to ensure women thrive unapologetically in corporate spaces, supported by intentional sponsorship and representation.
SAICA’s commitment to the future pipeline continues on Saturday, 7 March, when SAICA’s CEO, Patricia Stock, joins the Minister of Basic Education, Minister Siviwe Gwarube, for a fireside chat hosted by the African Women Chartered Accountants. This dialogue on the future of education is vital for ensuring that the accountancy profession remains attractive to the next generation. Additionally, in partnership with The Pan African Federation of Accountants, SAICA invites you to join the Women in Accounting event, celebrating the collective power of women across the continent. I encourage you to secure your seat while you still have a chance to do so here.
Finally, we look to the future of technology with our cover profile, Andrew Alt, Chief Imagination Officer at Draftworx, whose work reminds us that digital innovation is the engine that allows us more space for strategic leadership.
In pursuit of meaningful impact,
Kgauhelo Dioka
Editor: Accountancy SA
