Unizulu gains accreditation to produce CAs

THE University of Zululand (Unizulu) has been accredited to produce chartered accountants by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

This was officially announced during a special event held by the university, SAICA and the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA) in KwaDlangezwa last Wednesday.

The accreditation was officially granted in April this year, and means accounting science undergraduate degree students are now eligible to study for their postgraduate degree known as CTA, without the need to complete a bridging course or programme at a SAICA-accredited university.

According to SAICA’s Nation Building Executive Director, Chantyl Mulder, students will no longer have to move to other provinces to pursue a degree in chartered accountancy.

She praised the team’s collaboration, partnership and hard work which made the accreditation possible, saying it would not have been possible without the partnership between the University of Cape Town and Unizulu to provide appropriate capacity-building support and development of staff.

‘Staff from both universities must be congratulated on this achievement, as it is a direct result of their willingness to collaborate and learn from one another that accreditation has been achieved,’ she said.

Mulder also appreciated BANKSETA’s R95-million financial support towards the project for a seven-year period.

Echoing on the same sentiments was BANKSETA Chairperson, Nosipho Makhanya.

‘We are very proud to partner with initiatives like this that develops the skills of our youth, leads to economic inclusion for all and helps work towards the goals set out in the country’s national development plan.’

Unizulu Vice Chancellor Professor Xoliswa Mtose said the accreditation means the institution now has its ‘metaphorical feet’ very firmly on the ground.

‘This shows that with support systems in place, the quality of education at previously disadvantaged universities can be as good as in any other institutions,’

said Mtose. At the special ceremony - Sizwe Nxasana (former First Rand CEO and NSFAS Chairman), Chantyl Mulder (SAICA Executive Director), Unizulu B Com Accounting student Nonjabulo Mtshali, Nosipho Makhanya (BANKSETA Chairperson) and Prof X Mtose (Unizulu Vice Chancellor)