An expedition is a journey made by a group of people for a particular purpose. When we first got involved with Thuthuka, back when it was still known as Eden Trust, we certainly had a very particular purpose and it was to drive transformation, despite the obstacles related to scarce skills, in the Chartered Accountancy profession.

Being involved in Thuthuka has been greatly beneficial to our firm, we have had top class Thuthuka Students join us as Trainee Accountants and pass through the last obstacles in order to qualify as Chartered Accountants. It has been inspirational to our other Trainees to work with people who have had the training and development that Thuthuka provides and to recognise how hard it can be for some students to just have the opportunity to prove their academic ability.

Trainee Accountants who have come through the Thuthuka programme are giving their time, of their own free will, back to the Thuthuka programme. This display of gratitude and commitment to the development of future entrants of the profession, is indicative of the levels of motivation and significant success of Thuthuka past and present.

The passion and dedication shown by the likes of Chantyl Mulder and her team is certainly one of the major reasons for the success of the initiative and their ability to push Thuthuka to evolve with the changes to the profession as well as the needs of the stakeholders (after healthy and sometimes fairly strong debate) has been instrumental in achieving objectives and ensuring sustainability.

Thuthuka has really been an amazing initiative to be part of. Over the years the impact that it has had on the stakeholders has certainly been significant and there is every indication that this will continue. There is no doubt that if Thuthuka continues to achieve the objectives of transformation within the Chartered Accountancy profession, we will continue to add value to individuals, their families, firms and the greater economy as a whole.

Candice Eaton

Head of HR & Labour Consulting,  Johannesburg