As she considers her post-school career options, Asive Gwebelemntwini, a Grade 12 maritime learner and an aspiring Chartered Accountant, has been keen to learn more about the role of a CA.
While the internet is a good source of information, it’s no match for on-the-job learning and when you’re still at school, that means doing a ‘job shadow’ during the school holidays.
With the help of her bursary sponsors, Captains Keith and Anne Pletschke, Asive secured two CA ‘’job shadows’’ – one in the maritime and the other in the development sector.
‘The job shadow was such a great opportunity for me to learn and to be inspired’, says Asive.
Her first stop was AMSOL on 18 and 19 June where she met the financial manager, Mr Jones.
‘He very kindly arranged an uber to take me from the Cape Town Civic Centre to their offices in Paarden Eiland, where I received a wonderful warm welcome from the receptionist. I then met with Mr Jones and Mr Mbakaza, a Lawhill alumnus who now works at the company in a senior position.
‘Mr Jones advised me that studying for a BComm degree is great choice, and one that would open many doors to careers as an accountant or Chartered Accountant. I enjoyed the daily duties, working with numbers, paying debtors, and made aware that mistakes cost the company money.
‘The next CA job shadow was at the DG Murray Trust (DGMT) on 20 and 21 June. They are based in Claremont and here I was welcomed by Mrs Ziyana.
‘DGMT is a NPO. They fund organisations that are helping the youth and elderly. While I was there, they received an application for funding from an organisation, so I had to read and write my thoughts about the organisation, and whether according to DGMT’s goals, they would fund it or not. One of the DGMT educational goals is to achieve a 0% student drop-out rate in South Africa.
‘From the valuable work they are doing, it was clear they haven’t given up on the youth of South Africa and want to help to eradicate unemployment.’
‘I was commended on my homework and how well I had I listened and understood instructions. I was also asked a lot of questions about the youth of SA and they were impressed by my answers.
‘The DGMT team was also open to answering any questions I may have about financial team audits or financial reports.
‘I really enjoyed my experience with them. I learned a lot from both job shadows and I am now certain that I want to be a CA.
‘I would like to thank my sponsors who organised this work shadowing for me. My words cannot express how deeply grateful I am for this wonderful opportunity that not every child gets, but which I was fortunate to be given. It has opened my eyes.
‘I am super grateful to the companies who allowed me to job shadow. I wish for them to continue offering these opportunities, and that other companies will see how important the job shadowing initiative is.’