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Awards and Competitions

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Top-35-under-35 Awards

Top-35-under-35 Awards

About

The Top 35 Under 35 Awards aims to identify and celebrate young Chartered Accountants and Associates who have made significant contributions to the accounting profession and society. This prestigious award recognizes 35 exceptional members and associates under the age of 35. These difference makers excel in their careers and contribute significantly to their communities and the broader South African economy. They are leaders, innovators, and change-makers who embody SAICA's values: excellence, integrity, and vision.

These Awards which have been celebrated for a decade, deliver some of South Africa’s greatest young leaders. The Awards have also built an incredibly talented alumni of SAICA ambassadors over the years.

Entries are now closed. For any queries, please email ***@saica.co.za

Categories

Transformative Leader Award: Demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities, driving positive change within their organisation or community while also actively mentoring and supporting the development of others.
Impact Champion Award: Creates a significant and measurable social or economic impact through their work.
Future-Fit Innovator Award sponsored by Xero: Leads the way in adopting innovative solutions that benefit the accounting profession.
Wellness Advocate Award: Promotes and supports mental health awareness and other related areas within their business and/or community.
DEI Champion Award: Demonstrates exceptional commitment to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within their workplace or the profession.
SDG Champion Award: Demonstrates exceptional leadership and commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their work.
SAICA Brand Ambassador Award: Actively promotes SAICA and its designations through branding, marketing and communication efforts, thought leadership or public engagement and/or has contributed to SAICA's development and advocacy efforts.

Meet our 2024 Top 35-under-35 winners

Our sponsors:

Standard Bank

Headline sponsor

Xero

Makosi

BDO

Milpark

Previous finalists

See our previous finalists

Meet our 2023 Top 35-under-35 overall winner

Overall winner: Senzo Ndlangamandla CA(SA)

Congratulations, Senzo, on this remarkable achievement! As the Head of the Department for Accounting Sciences at Walter Sisulu University and the Managing Director at SnB Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors, Senzo Ndlangamandla is an accomplished education professional. He dedicated 3 years to serving as the JSE Investment Challenge Coordinator in the Mthatha region, introducing students—predominantly from rural communities—to stock exchange dynamics. His impactful work in academia led to his appointment as the head of the department for accounting sciences at Walter Sisulu University in 2022, where he successfully implemented a plan that improved the University’s SAICA rating. In addition, he runs an audit practice with a staff complement of 11, all of whom are youth, showcasing his commitment to fostering opportunities for the next generation.

Meet our 2023 Top 35-under-35 category winners

Category winner: Develop - Andrew Portmann CA(SA)

Andrew, the managing partner at Alpha BPO, is a seasoned business leader who has consistently delivered target-driven bottom-line results and shareholder value. Having co-founded a company in 2019 to provide international job opportunities to highly skilled South African graduates, he has successfully grown it to over 300 staff members. His instrumental role in developing and implementing the only bespoke CRM for debt review in South Africa, along with the launch of his own software development company, showcases his innovative contributions. Notably, in 2020, he co-founded The Sprout Foundation, demonstrating his commitment to youth empowerment and combating unemployment.

Category winner: Influence - Craig Wallington CA(SA)

Craig, the co-founder & COO at MotherTree, and CFO at Paragon Impact, is an entrepreneur dedicated to addressing climate and biodiversity emergencies. Through MotherTree, he is facilitating the alignment of businesses and consumers' finances with their values, with the aim of moving £1 billion into the green economy by 2025. This effort is driving banks, pension funds, and other capital allocators to prioritise nature-positive investments over fossil fuels and other harmful activities. MotherTree has already supported clients in moving £2 million to greener products. Additionally, as the CFO of Paragon Impact, Craig is instrumental in building a market-leading software platform for the development and implementation of clients' impact strategies.

Category winner: Lead - Boitumelo Loate CA(SA)

As a portfolio manager - multi-asset, and investment analyst at 36ONE Asset Management, Boitumelo possesses a unique blend of technical expertise and financial acumen. Her effective co-portfolio management at 36ONE, coupled with the use of technology to enhance investment strategies and improve performance, showcases her exceptional skills in navigating dynamic financial markets. Boitumelo's pivotal role in establishing the Sustainable Responsible Investing Committee and the Transformation and Social Responsibility Committee at 36ONE underlines her commitment to responsible and sustainable investment practices. Furthermore, she serves as the treasurer of the Ruth First Memorial Trust, demonstrating her dedication to meaningful community contributions.

Category winner: Game changer - Jodilee Manuel CA(SA)

Jodilee, the Head of Education and Implementation at Syft Analytics, brings a wealth of experience from a Big Four audit firm and a local fintech startup. She has successfully spearheaded the development of Syft Campus, an online education platform aimed at helping accountants make better data-driven decisions and grow their businesses. This innovative platform also addresses the gap between university accounting education and industry demands, particularly in digital skills. Within just over a year, Syft Campus has launched more than 30 courses and 12 certifications, attracting over 3,000 users and facilitating the completion of over 100,000 lectures.