SAIGA’s Stakeholder Engagement with UKZN’s School of Commerce
A renewed focus on expanding career pathways in the public sector and strengthening professional collaboration took centre stage at a stakeholder engagement recently between the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Held under the framework of an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the engagement aimed to deepen collaboration and advance shared objectives, with a strong emphasis on student development and awareness of opportunities within the public sector.
SAIGA was represented by its Chief Executive Officer Ms Mbali Buthelezi while the UKZN representative was College of Law and Management Studies Dean of Teaching and Learning Professor Bomi Nomlala.
Buthelezi, a UKZN alumna who holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Honours degree in Accounting from UKZN, assumed the CEO position at the professional body five months ago. She underscored the importance of direct engagement with institutional partners.
“Stakeholder relations are very important to SAIGA,” said Buthelezi. “That is why we needed to have this meeting and connect face-to-face and explore areas that are strategically aligned to ensure that students know about the opportunities available to them in the public sector.”
With the University’s undergraduate Accounting programme accredited by the South African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) and other professional accounting bodies, Nomlala highlighted key areas of potential mutual benefit between the institutions.
These include establishing a SAIGA student chapter and student-led publications to promote public sector career pathways; expanding SAIGA student membership; and creating internship and vacation work opportunities for students.
Further collaboration could see UKZN academics contributing to SAIGA publications and participating in the Institute’s annual Conference and Member Recognition Awards.
Nomlala emphasised the importance of broadening students’ career perspectives.
“In the past, Accounting students would be channelled to one career route of being a chartered accountant (CA),” said Nomlala. “However, they have the option/choice of a career in the public sector – which is not a pathway for failed CAs, especially as the Accounting syllabus incorporates public sector auditing frameworks.”
He added that professionalising the public sector was very important as students were not always fully informed of the careers and opportunities available to them due to lack of awareness about SAIGA.
“This engagement comes at an opportune time as we review our undergraduate commerce degrees. We look forward to strengthening and taking our partnership to the next level,” said Nomlala.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
