Editorial
This month we as a nation celebrate Mother’s Day, and we commend all the wonderful women out there who are being the best mothers they can be for their children − whether you are a mother, grandmother, aunt, teacher or simply playing a mother figure in some child’s life.
I recently read the quote ‘Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.’ It’s significant because more than ever children need the presence and affirmation of adults who believe in them. If children can believe in themselves and realise that they’ve got what it takes to accomplish anything they put their mind to, they can do anything.
In this month’s issue we focus on various men and women who are all making a significant difference in young people’s lives. On the cover is Konehali Gugushe CA(SA), CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, who is also the proud mother of two beautiful daughters. She says: ‘Motherhood is the greatest gift and honour I have been given in this life. The opportunity to be a conduit to my children’s birth, to shepherd and guide them throughout their life is a responsibility I value with all of my heart.’
A recent study found that in South Africa two-fifths of children grow up in a single-parent home. Sadly, the study also revealed that the bulk of the responsibility of single parenting lands on mothers to a significantly greater degree than on fathers. With this in mind we focus on Lornelle Jonas AGA(SA), winner of SAICA’s 35 under 35 Impact Champion Award, who has realised this and decided to select two single mothers to receive an Empower Her Bursary to assist them with achieving their studies.
On page 26 we feature Mbusi Ndlovu CA(SA) who tragically lost his mother during his last year of high school. She left Mbusi and his brother with the words ‘You must work hard and get educated,’ To achieve his dream of becoming a CA(SA) he had to overcome many challenges and is forever grateful to be taken on as a Thuthuka beneficiary to help fund his undergraduate studies. He recently qualified as a CA(SA) and is now proudly working for SAICA. And this is only the very beginning of his journey of achieving dreams …
LYNN GRALA
Acting Editor: Accountancy SA
