Unlocking Potential, Passion, and Purpose – African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) Forum 21st Anniversary Celebration
This year marks the 21st anniversary of the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) Forum, an organisation that has contributed extensively to the advancement of African women Chartered Accountants in South Africa.
To date, AWCA has contributed to the growth in the number of Black, Indian, and Coloured female CAs from 407 in 2002, to 9 650 in 2023. Building on this solid foundation, AWCA continues to provide more women with educational and career growth opportunities, whilst remaining steadfast in championing integrity and ethics within the profession and creating a platform for future female leaders.
AWCA reintroduces Woman of Substance Award
Celebrating 21 years is a key milestone for AWCA, as such the Woman of Substance award has been reintroduced. The award acknowledges and celebrates female leaders who have made a significant contribution to the profession, and to business and economy of South Africa. Previous recipients of this esteemed award include Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, Dr Judy Dlamini, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, Her Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Former Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, and the Late Dr Vuyokazi Mahlati.
Unlocking Potential, Passion, and Purpose
To mark this momentous milestone, AWCA will be hosting its annual conference and fundraising banquet. The theme for this year is Moving to mastery while unlocking potential, passion, and purpose, a theme that encapsulates AWCA’s legacy of excellence and the organisation’s ambitious vision for the future – that of a thriving and flourishing industry, led by an ever-growing number of African female Chartered Accountants and business leaders.
The conference will be followed by the AWCA 21st Anniversary Celebration, a banquet to both honour the partners and stakeholders who have been instrumental in supporting the organisation over the years and to raise funds for the AWCA Bursary Fund. Both events will take place on 3 August 2023, in Johannesburg.
“President of AWCA, Buhle Hanise, says: “A traditional 21st birthday is usually marked by the significant gesture of being handed a key to unlock doors to a new chapter of independence and numerous opportunities. 21 years on and the AWCA is still beyond inspired to guide and uplift as many young African females into the prestigious profession of Chartered Accountancy. ‘CA of the Future’ is a buzz phrase currently doing the rounds in our profession. Post-covid, we live in an AI world where technology takes care of almost everything. As an organisation, we are committed to grooming our CAs(SA), both qualified and aspiring, to move with the times. We are geared up and excited about running programmes that will ensure that the ‘CA of the Future’ shows up fully and performs to the best of their abilities. Therefore, in the next 21 years, we will still be fulfilling our core function of supporting students from a bursary and life skills point of view and ensuring that they qualify to become ‘CAs of the Future’.”
AWCA Annual Conference
The AWCA Annual Conference provides an opportunity for attendees to engage with industry captains on matters that are topical within the accounting profession, and those specific to the advancement of women. The event attracts the country’s foremost thought leaders in various spheres, to engage in constructive dialogue around pertinent business, economic, social, and political issues.
AWCA Fundraising Banquet
The conference will be followed by the 21st Anniversary Fundraising Banquet, where South Africa’s most exceptional women achievers will be recognised and honoured. The Banquet will also raise funds for young aspirant CAs, facilitating their access to the profession. To date, 153 students have been supported through the AWCA Bursary Fund.
This year, the awards include:
– Woman of Substance award
– Public Sector CEO of the Year
– Private Sector CEO of the Year
– Public Sector CFO of the Year
– Private Sector CFO of the Year
– Audit Partner of the Year
– Tax Partner of the Year
– Leading Entrepreneur
– Trailblazer in Academia
