Unisa’s Top 100 CTA achievers recognised as accounting firms seek emerging talent

The University of South Africa’s (Unisa) College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) has celebrated its Top 100 students in the Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA), with several of the university’s highest-performing students already being considered for opportunities within the accounting profession.

The special celebration brought together university leadership, families, professional bodies, industry partners and other stakeholders to recognise students whose academic performance reflects the discipline, resilience and commitment required to progress through one of the most demanding stages of the accounting qualification journey.

The evening also recognised the Top 5 performers: Kamogelo Ndoyi, Kyra Elizabeth Hempel, Sahista Hurripursat, Nathan Zeke De Lange and Philasande Qengqe.

In recognition of their exceptional performance, the five students were given the opportunity to be interviewed by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). The event also reflected Unisa’s reach beyond South Africa, with students from Namibia and Zimbabwe among those recognised for their achievements.

Congratulating the students, CAS Executive Dean Dr Moses Hlongoane said their achievements demonstrated qualities highly valued by employers and the accounting profession.

He highlighted their commitment, resilience, discipline and strong work ethic, saying these qualities would serve them well as they entered the next stage of their professional journeys.

He also reminded the students that academic achievement comes with responsibility, particularly the responsibility to uphold academic integrity and carry the values of honesty, fairness, responsibility, respect and trust into their professional lives.

Addressing CTA students and those preparing for their final examinations, Dr Hlongoane encouraged them to trust their preparation, remain focused and approach their examinations with confidence.

He reminded them that setbacks should not define their future, encouraging them to learn from challenges and remain determined to move forward.

Dr Hlongoane also acknowledged the contribution of parents, guardians, families, friends and employers who support students throughout their academic journeys, as well as sponsors and industry partners who contribute to education and student development.

SAICA CEO Patricia Stock congratulated the students and challenged them to look beyond academic success towards making a meaningful contribution to society.

Speaking about the evolution of the accounting profession, Stock urged students to focus on moving from “success to significance”, particularly as the profession responds to developments in sustainability, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and global mobility.

She also emphasised the importance of lifelong learning, warning that the knowledge and skills professionals acquire today will need to evolve as the profession changes.

“The reality is what we know today won’t keep us completely relevant into the future. And hence it’s important that we remain learners in everything that we do,” she said.

Ntlambi Guluwa, who leads the Inspections Department at the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA), drew on her own experience as a Unisa student and chartered accountant to offer the students a personal perspective on overcoming challenges.

She told the Top 100 achievers that their accomplishment demonstrated more than academic ability.

“Being in the top 100 tells you that you can do difficult things. Being in the top 100 tells you that you can be a high achiever. But also passing CTA tells you that you can’t just be intelligent for you to achieve it. It requires strength. It requires resilience. Most importantly, it requires you to be kind to yourself,” Guluwa said.

She also encouraged the students to use their future positions of influence to help others find their way into the profession.

“When you find yourself one day in a position of influence, please make sure you inspire people. Think about those people who are still trying to find their way up and make a difference,” she said.

For some of the students, recognition at the event was accompanied by tangible opportunities to enter the profession.

Twenty of the top-performing students have been invited by PKF-OCTAGON to participate in its recruitment process for SAICA training contracts.

MASA Auditors has invited two of the Top 5 performers, Kamogelo Ndoyi and Philasande Qengqe, to pursue SAICA articles in 2027. Kyra Elizabeth Hempel and Sahista Hurripursat have also received SAICA training contract offers for 2027.

The leading academic performers received additional prizes. Ndoyi, the top-performing CTA student for 2026, received cash and prizes valued at more than R20 000, while Hempel, who placed second, received cash and other prizes valued at just under R20 000.

The opportunities underline the link between academic performance and professional development, while giving students a direct pathway towards the next stage of their accounting careers.

The celebration was supported by professional and industry partners, who collectively contributed close to R100 000 in cash, shopping vouchers, Takealot vouchers and corporate gifts for the Top 100 students.

Among the professional bodies and organisations supporting the event were SAICA, SAIGA, SAIPA, CIBA, MGI RAS, the Auditor-General of South Africa, ACCA, PKF South Africa, MASA Auditors, Deloitte, IRBA, Standard Bank Private, PwC and AICPA & CIMA.

Their involvement reflects the strong relationship between CAS and the accounting profession and the shared interest in developing the next generation of accounting professionals.

For the students, the Top 100 celebration therefore represented more than recognition for academic achievement. It provided an opportunity to connect academic excellence with professional development, industry exposure and potential career opportunities.

The event was coordinated by the office of the Deputy Executive Dean, Prof Cameron Modisane, CAS.

By: Ntsako Mohlaba, CAS Communication and Marketing Specialist