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NELSON Mandela captured the minds and hearts of all South Africans, not least those young people striving to forge careers in the accountancy field, the South African Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA) said in their tribute to the beloved former state president.
By word and deed, he was a role model to all young people who dreamed big, said SAIBA’s newly-appointed executive president, Professor Reckson Thakhathi.
“Madiba identified with the entrepreneur, the small business owner, the youngster burning the midnight oil to qualify,” he said. “He knew that it was people such as these who were the backbone of the economy, ordinary South Africans who are prepared to put the effort in to reap the rewards.”
Thakhathi said Mandela’s focus on children and young people should remain an inspiration to the youth, who face enormous hurdles to gain a good education, skills and employment.
“He showed by example that every one of us is capable of making sacrifices, far less than he did, in order to achieve our objectives. Matriculants especially must not lose hope. Madiba himself became a qualified lawyer against all odds.”
On the flip side of high unemployment, is the scarcity of skilled people, Thakhathi pointed out. “There is a shortage of around 20 000 accountants in South Africa today. Madiba would have said: be brave, be steadfast, work hard. Get that degree and you will be assured of a good job or the prospect of opening an accountancy practice and providing employment yourself.”
Madiba saw opportunities where most see overwhelming disadvantages and hardship. “If we take any leaf out of his book, it should be that we recognise that all have a place in this wonderful country, abounding with possibilities and potential.”
Thakhathi said Madiba’s biggest legacy were the institutions and foundations formed in his name to give young people a leg up in life. For example, the Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development, attached to Madiba’s alma mater, the University of Fort Hare, has produced, amongst others, professional accountants who have taken their rightful place in the world.
Madiba believed South Africa had the power to educate and train all its children. “Those who do not believe this have small imaginations,” he said on the occasion of launching the Institute in 2007.
“SAIBA is determined that this great man’s legacy never dies,” said Thakhathi. “We will do everything we can to trigger his imaginations in others.”
By word and deed, he was a role model to all young people who dreamed big, said SAIBA’s newly-appointed executive president, Professor Reckson Thakhathi.
“Madiba identified with the entrepreneur, the small business owner, the youngster burning the midnight oil to qualify,” he said. “He knew that it was people such as these who were the backbone of the economy, ordinary South Africans who are prepared to put the effort in to reap the rewards.”
Thakhathi said Mandela’s focus on children and young people should remain an inspiration to the youth, who face enormous hurdles to gain a good education, skills and employment.
“He showed by example that every one of us is capable of making sacrifices, far less than he did, in order to achieve our objectives. Matriculants especially must not lose hope. Madiba himself became a qualified lawyer against all odds.”
On the flip side of high unemployment, is the scarcity of skilled people, Thakhathi pointed out. “There is a shortage of around 20 000 accountants in South Africa today. Madiba would have said: be brave, be steadfast, work hard. Get that degree and you will be assured of a good job or the prospect of opening an accountancy practice and providing employment yourself.”
Madiba saw opportunities where most see overwhelming disadvantages and hardship. “If we take any leaf out of his book, it should be that we recognise that all have a place in this wonderful country, abounding with possibilities and potential.”
Thakhathi said Madiba’s biggest legacy were the institutions and foundations formed in his name to give young people a leg up in life. For example, the Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development, attached to Madiba’s alma mater, the University of Fort Hare, has produced, amongst others, professional accountants who have taken their rightful place in the world.
Madiba believed South Africa had the power to educate and train all its children. “Those who do not believe this have small imaginations,” he said on the occasion of launching the Institute in 2007.
“SAIBA is determined that this great man’s legacy never dies,” said Thakhathi. “We will do everything we can to trigger his imaginations in others.”
