Dear Subscriber,

Some of the words that always come to mind as I think of what the word ‘driving’ means to ABASA are: 

For the ABASA vehicle to move, it must be driven but most importantly it must be maintained. It is therefore an absolute pleasure to announce our partner for the month who has been working closely with ABASA to ensure the President’s Roadshow gets off the ground. 

I am excited to announce that SAPRO, which is also a corporate member in good standing of ABASA, has extended its support to ensuring that ABASA is able to increase its African and Global reach as a global mobility partner for the ABASA President’s Roadshow. 

The tremendous support from SAPRO through its global mobility team has also ensured that the ABASA President represents Southern Africa at the upcoming National

Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Conference from the 21st – 24th of June 2022. 

This partnership aims to ensure that the global projects that ABASA looks to implement with NABA are realised to create global exposure and opportunities for our members in the future. So do keep a look out for further information. 

I would like to extend an ABASA thank you to the SAPRO Team for their support and aligning with our vision. 

On the 16th of May 2022 ABASA joined the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP), the Black Management Forum (BMF) and Black Business Council (BBC) in a joint meeting with the incoming Group CEO of ABSA Bank, Arrie Rautenbach; the ABSA Board Chair, Sello Moloko and the Lead Independent Director, Nonhlanhla Mjoli-Mncube. 

This meeting highlighted the need for organisations such as ABSA to work closer with black organisations in finding sustainable solutions in meeting transformation targets. 

The BBC hosted its Annual Summit on the 19th and 20th of May 2022 at the Gallagher Estate Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. I had the privilege of moderating the panel discussion on the 19th of May which was addressed by the Honourable Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, under the theme Fourth Industrial Revolution and Skills Development – Impact of Economic Transformation. 

This was followed by the Gala Dinner which was addressed by the Honourable President of the Republic South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. As an organisation which strives to be part of the solution for the socio economic challenges faced by the majority of our country, we welcome the President’s call to black organisations to work together with government in achieving economic transformation. 

I would like to congratulate the Leadership of the BBC on a well executed 2022 Summit. 

On the 26th of May 2022 the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) held its Annual General Meeting. ABASA congratulates those who have been appointed to the board following the rotation of board members. 

As raised in the AGM, ABASA still has concerns over the board nomination process. Discrepancies in the process were brought to SAICA on the 9th of May 2022. ABASA will continue to engage with the SAICA Board on the matter, which we had hoped would have been resolved before the AGM. 

On Friday the 27th of May 2022 the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) released the long-awaited Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) results. Click on the link to read the full ABASA statement and results breakdown. ABASA is encouraged by the increase in the pass rate of black African candidates of 24% from 62%. A special congratulations to Noxolo Sokweba, a black African female candidate who earned her place on the honours roll. 

I look forward to meeting all our successful candidates at the ABASA Professional Excellence Dinners. 

In the spirit of inclusion which is a key focus of the current leadership tenure, ABASA has renamed the Final Qualifying Exam (FQE) Dinners (previous name of the SAICA APC) to the ABASA Professional Excellence (APE) Dinners. In 2019 the dinners saw the inclusion of South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) and we look forward to welcoming more accounting bodies to this event as we celebrate our newly qualified professional. 

Dinners will kick off in Gauteng (Johannesburg and Tshwane) on the 2nd of July 2022 followed by dinners in our various provinces. Headline Sponsor and further details will be announced soon. 

Invitations will be shared via participating accounting bodies, participating corporate members and the ABASA membership database for registration soon. 

ABASA Forum Magazine Launch 

We are exactly a month away from the release of the June 2022 ABASA Forum Magazine publication. Information will be sent to all magazine contributors to join us as we officially reveal the publication. 

ACCA magazine – Long Road to Inclusion 

Newsroom Afrika – The Role of Auditing in South Africa in Light of the Ubank Curatorship 

BMF magazine – Driving Inclusive Social Accountability 

ABASA members are encouraged to engage with and provide input on the following policy documents. Submissions to be sent to communications@abasa.org.za. 

Best,

Linda Maqoma