After attaining his CA(SA) in 2015, Rolihlahla left his job at the Financial Services Board and returned to Mthatha to become a lecturer at Walter Sisulu University. He wanted to make a positive contribution to an existence that could be discouraging and devastating − the fact that he could obtain his CA(SA) was an inspiration to many who had given up on their dream and motivated them to return to their studies.
Remembering how difficult it was to get practical training in accounting, Rolihlahla and his wife decided to convert a bigger part of their company profits towards training students that were locked up by the TVET system. In 2017 they started training four students and despite the demands of his lecturing position, the lack of office accommodation, and their family commitments, they succeeded in graduating two of these students. They currently train 44 students from various groups (Financial, Fasset, Office and PR Management) and intend to recruit a further 12 students from the Human Relations Group.
In addition, they have developed an online training platform to assist N6 students who cannot go to Mthatha. The programme starts in October 2020 and they anticipate that it will attract about 100 students in the first year, which will bring their training and impact footprint to 200 students.
This would not have been possible if Rolihlahla were not a CA(SA). Training a student gives hope not only to the student and their families and civil communities, but also to the business community. They couple feel that they are making a serious impact in changing and improving lives and opening opportunities, and they feel strongly that their purpose has been validated.
In addition, they are first employers of those they have trained. They hope to employ the five students graduating this year in their two new branches. Currently they employ six staff members and plan to employ 15 permanent staff in their new branches. By providing employment, they have reduced crime and brought hope to many.
At present, Rolihlahla has the following qualifications: BAcc, Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences, Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation, BCom Law (passed but not yet graduated) and MCom (Accounting) (passed but not graduated).
Current positions include managing director and CEO of Kunokhar Chartered Accountants and Tax Practitioners (Pty) Ltd and chief investment/financial officer of Kunokhar Capital (Pty) Ltd and Kunokhar Properties (Pty) Ltd.
