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Dear Stakeholder

This Youth Month Newsflash is dedicated to the hundreds of young people who have come through the graduate programmes of the ASISA Academy since our inaugural programme in 2011, which was in partnership with the TSIBA Business School and ASISA member companies. Many of them have now established themselves as young industry professionals and are helping us to inspire, motivate and develop the next generation.  

I also want to acknowledge the ASISA member companies and all other partners who have helped us to do this important work that is transforming many young people’s lives, as well as our industry. We could not have achieved it without your generous support.

The election of a new ASISA Academy Alumni Committee highlights how things have come full circle. We have worked with so many young people over the years. Seeing them maturing and achieving various professional certifications is inspiring. And, just a few years into their careers, they are already asking: How can I give back?  

Last month we welcomed our new Alumni Committee members on board and thanked the previous committee members for paving the way for them. The purpose of the Alumni Committee is to expand the alumni network, engage the alumni in events that promote the work of ASISA Academy and provide guidance to new graduates entering Academy’s graduate programmes.

Cape Town committee members (from left): Nkululeko Radebe (Chairperson), Kirsten Ferguson (Secretary), Kelcy Fabing (Organiser), Shanell Domike, Sisipho Peter, and Zethu Segage.

Johannesburg committee members (from left): Brightness Mahlomosa (Chairperson), Noluthando Ngubeni (Secretary), Maseqobela Nkosi (Organiser), Petronella Mothamaha, Matumelo Matsoane, and Gail Mokwatlo.

GRADUATE PROGRAMMES

IFA Internship

Another highlight I would like to share is that the ASISA Academy Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) internship is in its 10^th year this year. Launched in 2016 in partnership with four anchor sponsors, Allan Gray, Coronation, M&G Investments and Ninety One, the ASISA Academy IFA Internship helps Black South African graduates with no prior full-time work experience to bridge the gap between university and the world of work. 

Interns participate in a structured programme, which includes work-readiness, mentoring, theoretical knowledge and practical work experience, with established IFA practices for 12 months. Each year, we see around 80-85% of these young people employed in the financial advisory space.

Preparations are underway for the 11th IFA Internship in 2026. The application window for IFA practices interested in hosting interns next year is open; it closes on 29 August. IFA practices are invited to enrol here.

IMACS@TSIBA

Students from TSIBA Business School participating in the current ASISA Academy IMACS@TSIBA Internship are anxiously awaiting their exam results. Those who pass all their courses will progress to a four-month internship in their final semester, starting on 1 August. Without completing this work experience, students will not be able to graduate.

I would like to thank the following companies for selecting a total of 16 undergraduate students to complete their four-month internships, a critical part of their degree, from 1 August to 30 November: Coronation Fund Managers, Intembeko Investment Administrators, Taquanta Asset Managers, Prescient, Allan Gray, JTC Fund Solutions and M&G Investments.

One of the companies that has had a longstanding partnership with the ASISA Academy on this programme is M&G Investments. Read more here about how they have given TSIBA graduates “a compelling reason to stay and grow” with them over the years.

M&G Investments HR Manager Mujahid Isaacs, far left, with some of his colleagues who joined M&G Investments through the ASISA Academy’s graduate programmes. From second left, Retail Client Service Consultant Aphiwe Mxabanisi, Retail Client Service Administrator Lebohang Kanogoiwa, Institutional Client Service Associate Sisipho Jokazi, Project Assistant Sisipho Mgugunyeka, Reconciliation Specialist Tamzin May and Process Analyst Tony Gozongo.

Businesses that are keen to participate in this programme as a sponsor, internship host employer or who would like to offer a student a job shadowing opportunity or vacation work are encouraged to get in touch with me at adavids@asisaacademy.org.za. This programme qualifies as a Category B on the Learning Programme Matrix.

INHOUSE COURSES

A third Sanlam Investment Induction for new staff members in various departments was delivered in person at their offices in Tygervalley. 

Delegates from Sanlam who attended the Sanlam Investment Induction held in June.

Sanlam Investment Management is a good example of an ASISA member company that really leverages the partnership with the ASISA Academy.

Michael Brand, Head of Learning and Development at Sanlam Investments Group, says the partnership with the ASISA Academy has “played a vital role in equipping our employees with the technical insight and contextual understanding needed to navigate the investment landscape with confidence”.

He adds: “Over the years, the ASISA Academy’s diverse programmes have consistently delivered high-impact learning experiences that cater to a range of skill levels across the business. Whether employees are new to the industry or looking to deepen their knowledge, ASISA Academy's facilitators bring a depth of expertise and a unique ability to simplify complex concepts in ways that are relatable, practical and engaging.

“The professionalism of the ASISA Academy team and associate facilitators, coupled with their openness to co-create solutions tailored to our business needs, continues to add exceptional value.”

To discuss how the ASISA Academy could tailor material to meet your business’s unique needs please email learn@asisaacademy.org.za

For a complete overview of learning opportunities, please visit the 2025 ASISA Academy Learning Calendar.

LEARN WITH US

The ASISA Academy is recognised as a Level 1 B-BBEE Qualifying Small Enterprise, with more than 83% of the Academy’s beneficiaries being Black South Africans. This means employers can claim 135% of their skills development spend with the ASISA Academy. Please get in touch with us to discuss how we can support your skills development requirements.

Please visit our website for more information on our many learning opportunities. We also invite you to interact with us on LinkedIn.

Best wishes
Alicia Davids
ASISA Academy CEO