TZANEEN – An 18-year-old learner from Merensky High School in Tzaneen will see his dream of studying at an accredited university come true as he secured a R25 ooo bursary after coming second in the 2016 National Accounting Olympiad (NAO), hosted by the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA).
Rhulani Ndlala is looking forward to pursuing a career in either accounting or actuarial sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT) next year.
Ndlala says the competition was very challenging, but he knew that by working hard, he could make it to the finals.
“For me winning the bursary was not a surprise at all because I knew I deserved it and that makes me happy,” he says.
He says he is disappointed by the #FeesMustFall protests as he fears he his experience at university will be tainted by the effects of the protests.
“Working on previous question papers paved the way for my success and my teachers supported me every step of the way,” he explains.
SAIPA marketing and communications member, Zobuzwe Ngobese, says the responsibility of finding alternative ways to make tertiary education accessible to all has to be shared by all stakeholders as government cannot do it alone.
“We are grateful to our corporate sponsors for enabling us as an accountancy professional body of choice to contribute a total of R110 000 to the tuition fees of the top six students in the Olympiad and a further R60 000 to the schools and the teachers of these learners,” Ngobese states.
“A campaign such as the National Accounting Olympiad, now in its 14th year, creates an opportunity for academic institutions, industry associations, future employers, teachers, parents and learners that will become students to share in the responsibility of finding a sustainable solution,” he concluded.
thoko@nmgroup.co.za
