The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) recently honoured Basic Education Director-General, Mr Mathanzima Mweli, by presenting him with the Friends of the Profession Award for nurturing the next generation through championing Accounting and related subjects at school level. The prestigious SAICA Chairman’s Awards ceremony took place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 28 November 2025.
The Award honours Mr Mweli as a True Advocate for the Accounting Profession, whilst saluting not only the positive changes he has brought to South Africa’s education system, but also the impact on the Department. His collaboration with SAICA and Thuthuka has inspired thousands of learners, driven teacher development, and digitised curricula, building strong foundations for the profession.
Mr Mweli is also involved in a project which sees the DBE signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreeing to the digitisation of the accounting curriculum, as well as teacher development and the Accounting Technician South Africa AT(SA), a professional designation from SAICA, programme. Through his unwavering support for curriculum strengthening, talent development and pathways into the profession, DG Mweli continues to play a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s future accountants and building a stronger South African skills base.
During October 2025, the DBE again reaffirmed its sustained commitment to clean governance, institutional accountability, and fiscal discipline with its fifth consecutive unqualified audit outcome. The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), presented these findings for the 2024/25 financial year to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education in Parliament, signalling the continued maturity of the education administration in our country. This is both a validation and motivation for continued reform, noting that clean audits are indicators of institutional accountability, especially during these times of immense financial pressure, affirming integrity, accountability, and disciplined financial management, evidence of systems that function, oversight that tightens, and a culture of accountability that deepens. Whilst HoD for the North West Department of Education, Mr Mweli took the Department from a Disclaimer Audit Opinion to an Unqualified Audit Option with a Certificate of Merrit of Excellence for the 2008/9 Financial Year, issued by the Auditor-General.
Mr Mweli’s insistence on providing a personal touch, has helped to motivate and support players at all levels in the education sector, whilst improving the National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate owing to his Annual Learner Support Programme, including oversight visits to all 75 education districts. DG Mweli also hosts online engagement sessions with Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) twice a year to ensure the upward trajectory of the education sector.
The SAICA Chairman’s Awards were established to honour those who embody the highest ideals of the profession; individuals whose work and leadership have created a lasting difference, not only within their organisations but in the communities and industries they serve. The Awards are a powerful celebration of leadership, impact, and transformation across every stage of the accounting profession, from cradle to career, across 12 categories. From learners in classrooms to student leaders, emerging professionals, and seasoned experts making global impact, the SAICA Awards shine a spotlight on those who lead with purpose. Ms Mataole Ramohapi, Director in the Office of the DG, accepted the award on behalf of Mr Mweli.