‘Mathabana Kotelo
Maseru — The Centre of Accounting Studies on Friday celebrated its historic 33rd graduation ceremony at the Lehakoe Recreation Centre. The event, which recorded an unprecedented 26 chartered accountant graduates, was also hailed as a first by the centre’s chancellor Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso. On top of the chartered accountant graduates, 82 students were awarded the General Accounting qualification, with 139 completing the Certified Accounting Technician qualification while 47 and 11 were awarded CIPFA diplomas and certificates, respectively.
Addressing the graduates, CAS rector Mubita Anakoka applauded them for the successful completion of their studies adding that hard work on the students’ and staff’s part had paid off. “CAS has come a long way and we still have a long way to go. We aim to satisfy labour market needs as well as address economic demands by providing the skills the economy needs to grow”, he said.
He said Lesotho has the least number of accounting and business studies programmes in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and that one of CAS’ aims was to change the status quo. In line with this endeavour, Anakoka announced that the institution had recently opened another regional centre in Thaba Tseka, in addition to the two in the Leribe and Mohale’s Hoek.
Giving the keynote address CAS chancellor Dr Seeiso Bereng Seeiso, expressed his delight at the 26 chartered accountant graduates saying that they had reached a milestone in their career. He urged them to show gratitude to their parents, family and lecturers who had given them support during the course of their studies.
“The investment the nation has made in you is not without obligation, so show gratitude to your parents and the nation,” said the chancellor. Dr Seeiso further encouraged the graduates to venture into entrepreneurship and set up their own enterprises instead of relying on formal employment. On behalf of the graduates, student representative president Mokete Lethola thanked the CAS staff and management as well as parents for their support.
“We have made it, despite the many challenges we faced,” said Lethola. The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing S’khulumi Ntsoale, CAS alumni association and corporate sponsors. Best performing students were awarded prizes sponsored by Standard Lesotho bank, Nedbank, LNDC and other local private enterprises of note.