May 2020 Issue

With our country in lockdown already for many weeks, many of us feel that there is no real light at the end of the tunnel. Businesses and the economy are under immense pressure and the forecasts are looking bleak.

To assist members in navigating this unprecedented times, SAICA has launched the ‘Leadership in a time of crisis’ series where webinars on pressing issues and how to survive during this time are offered free of charge. Click here to have a look and access future sessions and view past recordings.

In this issue, from page 26, we share articles from our members about COVID-19 on different aspects of the pandemic, including an article by Brett Tromp (CFO of Discovery Health) in which he talks about what good leaders do in a time of crisis. He says that we found ourselves in a unique time where we have seen people from all races, ages and backgrounds rally together to help each other. He says that helping each other brings out the best in you and we have been given a unique opportunity to make South Africa a better place. ‘As leaders, we have an opportunity and a responsibilty. It is the time for those with more to share and give away. A time to lead, to give, to take responsibility and to help others.’

And while, he says, the situation is terrifying and distressing, it is also exciting. ‘We have to come up with new, innovative ways to lead and help people. This is bigger than ourselves and we shouldn’t be fearful. Continue reminding yourself of why and help others to find their why – then we will navigate this time together.’

We also feature two inspirational new members on our cover this month. William Ngobeni’s road to qualify as a CA(SA) was exceptionally long and full of obstacles, challenges and hardship. He finally qualified in 2019 after a decade of stops and starts, and his story is testimony that delay doesn’t mean denial – just keep giving your all until the end.

Bongani Ngubeni grew up in the Village of Hope, a children’s home in Bryanston. You will agree that there are probably not many CAs(SA) who would recall their first friends as children of people who lived on the streets, but for Bongani the fact that the Village was linked to the church meant that his childhood was immersed in that institution’s values and ideals. His approach to overcoming rough times is to focus on what he enjoys rather than something that has the potential to bring him down.

By focusing on the positive, remembering your why, and seeing where you as a leader can influence someone’s life, you might one day look back to this period of trial and tribulation as a time that shaped you as a leader.

Gerinda Engelbrecht, Editor