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Dear Stakeholder
September, Heritage Month, saw the release of the 2025 ASISA Industry Transformation Report (2018-2024). With the theme “Driving Inclusive Growth through Sustainable Transformation”, the fourth transformation progress update was collated from data provided by ASISA members with a total of 80 000 employees, representing 98% of assets under management for life offices and 83% of AUM for asset managers.
The annual Transformation Report is an important document that tracks the path of transformation in our industry by recognising progress made and plotting the path forward. As we all keep busy with the work of transformation it is important to step back occasionally and reflect on what has been achieved and, importantly, how much further there is to go. Refer to pages 64, 65 and 77–80 for features on the work being done by the ASISA Academy.
Over the past few months, we have featured longstanding partnerships with various ASISA members who have invested generously in industry transformation initiatives through the ASISA Academy. This month we turn the spotlight on Ninety One, an ASISA member company that continues to be a key partner in our mission to celebrate the best of our heritage while working together to build a better future for all.
Ninety One is one of four anchor sponsors of the ASISA Academy’s Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) Internship, which has been running every year since 2016.
While the IFA Internship promotes transformation in the IFA space through the employment of young Black South African graduates, some IFA graduates eventually make their way into the corporate space. The journey of Beatrice Ramaloko, one of these bright young people now transforming the industry, is a good example of how completing an internship and immediately progressing into the expected role is not always a linear process.
After completing the ASISA Academy’s IFA Internship in 2018, Beatrice joined a graduate programme at Ninety One (which was then known as Investec Asset Management). Seven years into her tenure at Ninety One, Beatrice continues to build knowledge and confidence. Now a data operations analyst, she exemplifies how the right attitude combined with the right support means that something is gained at every point on the journey.
Read her full story here: One internship after another but Beatrice Ramaloko wouldn’t change a thing
Beatrice Ramaloko, a data operations analyst at Ninety One.
The ASISA Academy’s Fezeka Graduate Programme is another case in point, where the support of key partners such as Ninety One makes it successful in its mission of expanding the talent pool of women in asset management. The positive impact of Fezeka is also, no doubt, thanks to the tenacity of the young women selected to take part. Mamatholo Mkwanazi, for example, tells the story of how she found her way into a cherished role as client regulatory reporting analyst at Ninety One at least partly because she refused to “just settle wherever I landed”.
Read her full story: ‘I didn't want to just settle wherever I landed’
Mamatholo Mkwanazi, a client regulatory reporting analyst at Ninety One.
Not only an exceptional partner in the ASISA Academy’s work of developing young people, Ninety One leverages the partnership to support and develop new and existing staff. The company invites the ASISA Academy to deliver a series of Investment Sprints to their staff every year. Staying on top of what is on offer and working with our team to customise courses to meet changing needs of their different teams, Ninety One really maxes out on the benefits of the partnership.
Topics covered during the Investment Sprints include:
- An introduction to the SA savings and investment sector,
- An overview of the investment management business, and
- The fundamentals of retirement funds, life insurance, portfolio management and interest-bearing assets.
Ninety One employees who attended some of our Investment Sprint sessions earlier this year.
These interactive workshops are hosted face-to-face and online, and are attended by employees in different teams at Ninety One, including people working in investment analysis, operations management and software development. The Investment Sprints are a combination of bite-sized portions of topics covered in our longer investment courses.
The ASISA Academy offers a range of 17 fully customisable Investment Sprints, which can be delivered as 2-hour online sessions, full-day face-to-face sessions, or as, say, part of an induction for new staff members. Please click here to view the brochure.
By regularly working with the ASISA Academy, Ninety One makes it easy for us to service them well, which resonates with our vision to be the training partner of choice for ASISA members as well as the broader financial services industry.
Companies that would like to discuss similar options should email us at learn@asisaacademy.org.za or reach out directly to me (adavids@asisaacademy.org.za ). We are always eager to engage with ASISA members regarding their skills development needs.
OTHER GRADUATE PROGRAMMES
Financial Markets Practitioner (FMP) Learnership
Registrations are open for the ASISA Academy’s NQF 7 Financial Markets Practitioner Learnership, which we have been delivering for three years with great success. This learnership, which qualifies as a Category D on the Learning Programme Matrix, is ideal for those working in investment administration and client servicing teams, compliance, IT or other similar roles who wish to deepen their understanding of investment management administration and financial market principles.
In addition to gaining relevant skills and getting to know the industry better, professional recognition is available, too. Successful delegates can apply for associate membership with the South African Institute of Stockbrokers (SAIS).
RETIREMENT FUND TRUSTEE EDUCATION (RFTE)
The newly developed Pension Funds Act (PFA) Section 37D workshop was introduced, with the first session delivered to the Furniture Bargaining Council for their administrators.
Members of the Furniture Bargaining Council who attended the Section 37D workshop, with RFTE presenter, Tony Remas (seated).
The purpose of this workshop is to provide trustees with a clear understanding of the practical implications of applying Section 37D of the Pension Funds Act, particularly in situations where trustees are required to exercise discretion. The session aims to equip trustees with the necessary knowledge to ensure compliant and ethical handling of retirement fund deductions, particularly in relation to housing loans, divorce settlements, maintenance payments and damages payable to an employer due to misconduct of a member. Delegates also work through case studies to improve decision-making and support good governance in line with their fiduciary responsibilities.
As discussed with several of you already, it is budget-season! I have a few meetings set up with member companies to plan what we will do together next year. Those who haven’t already done so, should please reach out to discuss your skills development plans and needs for next year.
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
