Dear Stakeholder

Every August, I feel a little extra proud when Women’s Month shines a light on a mission that is core to what we do at the ASISA Academy all year round: female empowerment. I am surrounded by strong, empowered women who spend a lot of their time passionately doing work that empowers others, notably many young women.

I would like to give a Women’s Month shout-out to the ASISA Academy’s administration and marketing team who help keep our programmes running smoothly all year round.

From left: Course Coordinators Zubeida Ebrahim, Sabisa Ndavundavu, and Mayizole Mdlankomo, and Business Development Coordinator Mazana Mngonyana.

One of the areas where young women's success is showcased is the Fezeka Graduate Programme, a structured development programme for high potential, black South African female graduates who want to build a career in investment management. Of the 12 graduates who took part in the 2024/2025 Fezeka Programme, 10 are now employed in asset management:

Top row: Keasha Richards, Investment Management Trainee at Prescient Investment Management; Laylaa Davids, Junior Equity Analyst in the Global Emerging Markets team at Sanlam Alternative Investments; Mpoi Ntaitsane, Investment Analyst at WWF; Mukona Nemunzhele, Product Analyst at Alexforbes; Thandeka Moyo, Investment Management Researcher at Riscura. Bottom row: Amy Moodley, Junior Quantitative Reporting Analyst at Mentenova; Atlarelang Mereko, Credit Risk Analyst at Stanlib; Hlengiwe Maluleke, Trainee Equity Analyst at North Star Asset Management; Basetsana Kgosana, Value Creation Analyst at Arise Invest; and Seraph Mgiba, Portfolio Management Support Analyst at Galileo Capital.

Congratulations to all of them! 

The current cohort of the Fezeka Graduate Programme completed their first work experience rotation in August and started their second rotation in September.

OTHER GRADUATE PROGRAMMES

As you can see from the list of employers above, many businesses in our industry – from the large corporates to the boutique investment firms – benefit from the ASISA Academy’s graduate programmes. I would like to thank the sponsors and host employers for their partnership in developing talent in our industry.

This month I would like to shine a light on Coronation Fund Managers, who have partnered with the ASISA Academy’s IMACS@TSIBA Internship for more than a decade.

The IMACS@TSIBA Alumni who are currently working at Coronation Fund Managers. From left: Chad Cupido, Retail Administration Consultant; Bayanda Dumezweni, Retail Client Services Consultant Trainee; Nuraan Vollenhoven, Executive Personal Assistant; Lesego Rasmeni, Retail Client Services Consultant; Denver van der Berg, Retail Client Services Consultant Trainee; and
Moegammad Gierdien, Middle Office Specialist.

According to three managers who work closely with the interns, this partnership has created a pipeline of talent for the business while helping individuals to build technical expertise, confidence and a strong, supportive graduate community. “The results – a retention rate above 80% and a growing alumni network of finance professionals – speak for themselves.”

Read the full article: A partnership that is building careers, a community and a lineage

Chad Cupido is a member of that alumni network of finance professionals at Coronation Fund Managers. He says that for a large part of his early years, he was trying to figure out who he was and how he showed up in different spaces, and that “doing the IMACS@TSIBA Internship and landing at Coronation have all shaped my passion and answered those questions”.

Read full article: A career based on many different passions

Chad Cupido, a Client Services Validations Consultant at Coronation Fund Managers.

Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) Internship

We want to acknowledge the interns in the current cohort of the Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) Internship who have recently received RE5 certificates after passing the exams that test their knowledge of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act and the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA). Achieving this while adapting to a new work environment is no small feat. The RE5, combined with the internship experience, gives interns a solid foundation should they wish to pursue the board exams to qualify as advisors.

From left, top row: Ayabukwa Jwaai (host practice: K2 Capital), Ayanda Khumalo (Excalibur Wealth), Chaselyn Diedericks (RFAdvice), Gcina Sokhela (Wealth Associates Bespoke Solutions), Gerald Semenya (Ternary Financial Services), Kamogelo Nkosi (Gray Swan Financial Services). Bottom row: Karabo Huma (Rich Ideas Group), Kelcy Fabing (RFAdvice), Khululiwe Phumelele Minenhle (Cele Consolidated Wealth), Vuyo Mzandisi (Verso Employee Benefits Consultants), Yonela Qabaka (NFB), and Zasembo Mkize (Consolidated Wealth).

The application window for the 2026 intake of the Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) Internship is open until Tuesday, September 16. Please email applications or inquiries to Zubeida Ebrahim.

The IFA Internship is part of a two-pronged initiative run under the auspices of the ASISA Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) Initiative’s IFA Development Programme. The IFA Fund’s anchor sponsors are Allan Gray, Coronation, NinetyOne, and M&G Investments, but other companies that want to support this transformation initiative do so by making ad hoc contributions. Anyone interested in supporting this valuable initiative run by our sister organisation should contact Lee Coller, COO of the ASISA ESD Initiative via email to lcoller@asisa.org.za  or info@asisaesd.org.za.

In addition, other alumni members participated in Money Smart Week by hosting face-to-face initiatives with specific audiences. The webinar and related activities successfully provided practical and relatable financial literacy insights, aligning with the objectives of Money Smart Week SA.

Alumni committee members who presented across all the MSWSA events. Top row: Brightness Mahlomosa, Kelcy Fabing (current IFA intern), Maseqobela Nkosi. Bottom row: Nkululeko Radebe, Petronella Mothamaha, Shanell Domike, and Zethu Segage.

SHORT COURSES

UCT Investment Management Industry (IMI) Short Course

The second iteration of the UCT Investment Management Industry (IMI) Short Course was held in person in Johannesburg this month. This course, which combines material from the Collective Investment Schemes and Investment Management Administration & Client Servicing short courses, is aimed at new entrants into the financial services industry, or those servicing the industry.

Delegates on this course came from various roles and departments at different companies, including education and training, sales support, legal and compliance, marketing, and even the audit team, and included a number of people in leadership positions.

Run over six days across two consecutive weeks, the IMI Short Course is followed by an online assessment, after which successful delegates will receive a certificate from UCT at the Academy’s annual graduation in January 2026. 

Delegates who attended the UCT Investment Management Industry (IMI) Short Course in Johannesburg.

BESPOKE COURSES

The Financial Services Industry Overview and Investment Management Overview Blitzcamps were delivered to staff at the South African Reserve Bank. Roles of the SARB employees who attended ranged from entry-level associate positions to senior and lead specialist roles within the macroprudential field.

One delegate described the training as “interesting, engaging and a useful beginner overview of the SA Financial Services Industry”, while another said the “great presentation … shows you are passionate about what you do” and “more than anything you inspired me to follow my calling”.

Delegates from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) who attended the Blitzcamps.

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