In keeping with their mission to Identify, Nurture, and Lead, the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) has officially expanded its footprint to the Eastern Cape, a region pivotal to South Africa’s international export and socio-economic development ambitions.
The expansion was marked by a grand opening ceremony in Gqeberha at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay, signifying a significant milestone in the organisation’s efforts to empower African women in the Finance and Accounting sector.
The opening of this new office is particularly meaningful to AWCA President, Buhle Hanise, who hails from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
By spearheading the establishment of this office, she continues to give back to her roots while paving the way for future generations of female Chartered Accountants (CAs) in the region.
This expansion aims to provide mentorship, professional development, and leadership opportunities to African women across the province while addressing the critical need for more CAs in the region.
Speaking at the event, Hanise emphasised the importance of this initiative, saying, “The Eastern Cape is a province rich in potential, but also faces unique challenges that hinder the development of young aspiring Chartered Accountants. By opening a local AWCA office here, we aim to provide the necessary support to overcome these obstacles and create an environment where women can thrive and lead in the finance sector.
“This is not just about accounting—it’s about transforming communities and building a legacy for future generations.”
The Eastern Cape faces several socio-economic challenges, including lower matric mathematics pass rates and limited infrastructure in certain areas, which contribute to a decline in higher education enrolment.
Despite these obstacles, the region holds promise, with four SAICA-endorsed institutions—Nelson Mandela University, University of Fort Hare, Rhodes University, and Walter Sisulu University—playing a crucial role in producing future Chartered Accountants. However, these universities, coupled with distance learning providers, currently do not produce enough graduates to meet the demand for CAs in the province.
Commenting on the significance of this expansion, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) expressed their full support. Patricia Stock, CEO of SAICA, noted, “The establishment of the AWCA office in the Eastern Cape comes at a critical time as only 14% of students writing to be CAs passed over the last year nationwide. The establishment of this office is a transformative step forward in diversifying the Accounting profession and ensuring that women from this region are given equal opportunities to succeed. SAICA has long been committed to creating pathways for historically disadvantaged individuals, and our collaboration with AWCA is a powerful testament to that vision. By working together, we are laying the foundation for a future in the CA profession that is inclusive, equitable, and representative.”
The new Eastern Cape office will act as a hub for AWCA’s transformative initiatives, including financial literacy programmes, entrepreneurship summits, and leadership development workshops. Through these efforts, AWCA seeks to close the gender gap in the male-dominated accounting field and ensure that women have the support they need to lead the profession into the future.
The expansion also ties into broader efforts by SAICA to raise awareness about the CA profession in historically underrepresented communities. Their initiatives, including Development Camps and partnerships with local universities, aim to foster a pipeline of future CAs who can drive economic growth and sustainability in the region.
