SASFF Conference & 3rd AGM
5 & 6 September 2024 at Emperors Palace Convention Centre, Gauteng
The theme of the conference is “Corporate Finance Governance Responses to Challenges, Threats and Inefficiencies in HEI’s”.
Conference Theme
The SA Student Finance Forum will again be holding its annual conference on Thursday and Friday 5 & 6 September 2024. This year’s conference will focus on sound financial corporate governance under challenging circumstances at HEI. This includes, amongst others, uncertainties of the current administration of NSFAS, the economic meltdown that increases the unemployment rate, and the formation of the government of national unity that comes with even further uncertainties in the education fraternity. The issues related to fraud and corruption have infiltrated higher education institutions. How do institutions enforce the culture of ethics and accountability to staff in minimizing the scourge?
As a Forum, we hope to address these matters and look at how financial corporate governance can still be maintained. It will be held at Emperors Palace Convention Centre, next to the OR Tambo International Airport, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
Gold Sponsor
Our Gold Sponsor is FNB
FNB Public Sector Banking offers public entities a banking partner to assist them in improving their financial governance and service delivery to communities while providing value-added benefits.
FNB acknowledges that higher education institutions play a vital role in shaping the future leaders of the South African economy.
As one of the fastest-growing sectors in South Africa, the education sector requires unique solutions and support from its financial partner.
FNB prides themselves in providing tailored solutions and building meaningful partnerships with higher education institutions.
5 September 2024 11h50 – 12h10
FNB
Presenters:
Sammy Khosa – Regional Director of Public Sector Gauteng
Kabelo Motlhala – Business Solutions Head
Who should attend
The staff members from all universities and TVET Colleges, both public and private, involved with, or responsible for, the student accounts, student fees and debtors’ administration function as well as student financial aid administration, including third party service providers from the Finance, Student Funding, Banking, Credit Provision and Debt Collection sectors.
Conference Speakers/facilitators
The final program for the conference can be downloaded here.
Breakaway Group Discussions
6 September 2024
09h50 – 10h45
Break-away groups: Discussion topics
- The possibility of universities and colleges to accept non-monetary items as a settlement for study fees – submitted by Ms Tshilidzi Ramulondi, University of Venda
Facilitators: Ms Tshilidzi Ramulondi, Board Member, and Mr.Taurian Layman, Board Member - TVET Colleges break-away group – Best practices in student finance for TVET Colleges
Facilitators: Mr. Tebogo Mokone, TVET Colleges representative on the Board from EEC and Mr. Tendani Nembidzane, Board Member
Featured Talks & Speakers
5 September 2024 09h20 – 09h40
Word of Welcome
A word of welcome by the Chairperson of the Board, Mr Ismail Soobader, University of Witwatersrand
5 September 2024 – 09:40 – 10:10
Opening Address
Ms Bennita Sisi, Deputy Principal Registrar, Ekurhuleni East College
Session chair: Chairperson of the Board, Mr Ismail Soobader, University of Witwatersrand
5 September 2024 – 11:10 – 11:50
Ms. Olebogeng Mokgethi
University of South Africa
Student finance and sustainable reporting in higher education.
Session Chair: Mr. Tebogo Mokone, Board Member, Ekurhuleni East College
5 September 2024 – 12:45 – 13:05
Mr. Brilliant Tleane &
Ms Zamamvula Mkhize
Product Owner Finance, Adapt IT (Gold Sponsor) & Business Analyst, Adapt IT respectively
Revolutionizing Academic Communication: Leveraging WhatsApp for Seamless Student Statement Delivery
5 September 2024 – 14:00 – 14:40
Mr. Nditsheni Tshithavhane
CA(SA) RA, University of Venda
Internal controls within the Student Finance environment What are the best practices?
Session chair: Ms Sive Sigcau, Board Member, University of Johannesburg
5 September 2024 – 15:35 – 16:00
Ms. Cara-Jean Petersen and Ms Yanga Totyi
CEO, The Feenix Trust and Student Advancement Manager respectively.
Cracking the Code: How to Make Under-Resourced Students ‘Findable and Fundable’ in the Corporate Funding World.
Session chair: Mr. Tebogo Mokone, Board Member, Ekurhuleni East College
5 September 2024 10h10 – 10h50
Mr Spener Nhunzvi
Assistant Programme Manager, FASSET
SETA-Upcoming plans in terms of current historic debt and plans in funding that will reduce the impact of historical debt.
Session chair: Dr. Nonhlanhla Mabuza, Board Member, University of South Africa
5 September 2024 – 12:10 – 12:45
Mr. Jainendra Maharajh
FAPSA President, University of Kwazulu Natal
The state of NSFAS and its impact on Student debt in Higher education.
Session chair: Mr. Tendani Nembidzane, Board Member, University of Johannesburg
5 September 2024 – 14h40 – 15h10
Ms Fasiha Hassan
The rising cost of education and the impact on students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Session chair: Mr. Taurian Layman, Board Member, Cape Peninsula University
5 September 2024 – 16h00 – 16h30
Keynote Address
Prof Ahmed Bawa
University of Johannesburg and previous CEO of USAf
Is corruption and fraud currently increasing at higher education institutions in South Africa?
Session chair: Ms Tshilidzi Ramulondi, Board Member, University of Venda
6 September 2024 09h00 – 09h30
Ms. Septei Mthembu
Acting Senior Manager: Strategic Project Unit, Mining Qualifications Authority: MQA
SETA-Upcoming plans in terms of current historic debt and plans in funding that will reduce the impact of historical debt.
Session chair: Dr. Nonhlanhla Mabuza, Board Member, University of South Africa
6 September 2024 – 11:10 – 11:30
Breakaway Groups Feedback
Break-away groups’ feedback to the plenary and open floor discussions on the feedback.
6 September 2024 11h30 – 13h00
3rd Annual General Meeting of SASFF
(NPC) Chair: Mr Ismail Soobader, University of Witwatersrand
Exhibitors
To view the list of exhibitors and their presentations, please click here.
EVENTS
6
September
08:45 – 09h00
Lucky draws – Mr. Ismail Soobader Chairman and Ms Sive Sigcau
5
September
Black Tie Theme
Formal dinner & dance with Deejay
Time : 19:00pm – 23:00pm
Location : Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng
Dress Code: National Flag colours inspired by the 30 years of Democracy – prizes to be won (Dress up in celebration of 30 years) Co-Sponsored by Adapt IT
Wine and juice will be provided on the tables. There is also a full cash bar available. (No own liquor is allowed).