An opportunity to work as a student assistant in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Dean’s Office paved the way for a promising burgeoning career in the financial sector for University of Pretoria (UP) alumnus, Gontse Mosese.

A BCom Financial Sciences cum laude graduate, Mosese has reaped the rewards of his hard work and self-motivation during his studies, which has contributed to his career. He currently works as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte Bermuda and joins an elite group of proud alumni flying the UP flag high abroad.

Having been a beneficiary of acts of kindness and generosity during his studies, he is constantly inspired to lead a life full of purpose, making a positive impact on the lives of others. “I try to make an impact where I can, but the greatest joy for me is seeing someone that you helped previously, make it big in life. This is what inspires and motivates me – the simple act of kindness that creates a positive impact, because I too, am a beneficiary of kindness. I have been blessed to have been carried and assisted by so many on my own personal journey,” he says.

Read more below about his academic journey at UP and his thriving career.

Q: Please share the details of your studies, mentioning the qualification/s you completed at UP, what motivated you during studies and how you overcame any challenges you encountered.

A: I successfully completed two degrees at the University of Pretoria (UP), an undergraduate degree in BCom Financial Sciences, which I obtained cum laude, and lastly the postgraduate degree BCom Honours Internal Auditing. My greatest source of motivation during my studies was the need to maintain my funding, which fuelled me to work harder each year. I was fortunate enough to be funded by a bursary scheme, but it came with conditions, which entailed meeting certain academic targets. Although these academic targets were challenging, I remained motivated because I knew that without a fully-funded bursary, I would have never been able to obtain two world-class degrees.

Q: Briefly summarise your professional career, including your highlights/milestones and current position.

A: My first actual job was a student job within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) Dean’s Office at UP, where I was a student assistant to the Marketing and Liaison team. This student job paved the way to my professional career, where I started out at PwC South Africa as an internal audit associate and later became a senior associate.  I am currently a senior consultant at Deloitte Bermuda, as I made a shift to the international financial sector, focusing on reinsurance and banking.

Q: To what extent did your studies at UP benefit you in your career and contribute to your success?

A: Both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies were cornerstones of my profession in the financial sector. The BCom Financial Sciences degree features a spectrum of modules geared around how an organisation should operate from a financial perspective, and the BCom Honours Internal Auditing degree is specifically centred around the internal auditing profession. The two degrees together have made a significant contribution to my career. The qualification provided me with a vast array of knowledge that makes it easier to have insightful and impactful dialogue with different stakeholders, and through that I get to add value in the spaces I find myself in.

Q: Can you single out a special mentor/trusted advisor who played an indispensable role in your life/studies/career?

A: A special lady by the name of Liesl Oosthuizen, who was my first ever direct supervisor/boss, when I was a student assistant in the EMS Dean’s Office. She provided me with autonomy and through that we built a level of trust and an enjoyable, rewarding work relationship. She and the entire team within the EMS Dean’s Office at that time, instilled within me a level of discipline and responsibility that made me be able to manage my studies on the one hand, but also add value to the Faculty through my role. My time there set me up for success once I stepped into the corporate space, as I had an added advantage.

Q: Given your academic experience at UP, what advice can you pass on to current students?

A: Balance is key. I realised after my first year at university that being involved in different extracurricular activities makes you a well-rounded individual and gives you a new perspective to life. Academics is the focal point of it all, however go out there and explore. Make friends and create meaningful networks, because these will be some of the best times of your life. But just make sure you that you do not compromise your studies.

Q: What really inspires and motivates you personally?

A: The impact and value I can add to society, wherever I am. I try to make an impact where I can, but the greatest joy for me is seeing someone that you helped previously, make it big in life.  I recently went through some email conversations with people who asked for help, and I reflected on how at that moment they needed someone to help unlock their potential and push them to greatness. This is what inspires and motivates me – the simple act of kindness that creates a positive impact, because I too, am a beneficiary of kindness. I have been blessed to have been carried and assisted by so many on my own personal journey.

Q: What, in your opinion, is the foundation of a successful business/company/consultancy/organisation?

A: A culture of trust. Success is based on a process, and in order for an engine to work, all the parts (people) should be able to trust each other and work towards the same common goal.

Q: Which business/trade-related publications (magazines/newspapers/blogs, etc.) do you enjoy reading?

A: Nothing in particular, however my LinkedIn feed is always filled with topics such as internal audit, risk management, compliance, governance, information technology and emerging risks, as these are the topics I have to keep abreast of within my profession.

Q: If you could have a face-to-face meeting with an inspiring person – in any domain – who sets an example in transforming the world and inspiring others to do the same, who would it be and what would you like to discuss?

A: The one and only Vusi Thembekwayo, an award-winning public speaker, venture capitalist and entrepreneur. Vusi has a voice of reason, and an intellect that has crafted the art of making people want to listen to him when he speaks – a skill one needs in any type of business.

I would be honoured to have a face-to-face meeting with such an inspirational African and the topic of dialogue would be “Where are we heading as Africa – leadership redefined”. That would be a dream come true for me.

Q: What are your professional/business/personal aspirations?

A: To acquire as much knowledge as I can, which will enable me to add value to various organisations or institutions. Being part of the conversation and having a seat at the table is quite crucial for me, that’s the only way that I can raise my viewpoint and perspective, together with other voices. I believe that’s how one makes impactful change. From a corporate perspective, being a member of different governing committees as a non-executive director is a great aspiration of mine.

Q: As a UP and EMS alumni, what makes you proud to be associated with the University?

A: I am a proud UP and EMS alumni. The University has offered me some of the greatest experiences of my life throughout my academic journey. One highlight was representing the Department of Internal Auditing within the EMS Faculty in the United States at the Louisiana State University as part of an internal audit presentation week. Experiences like these prepared me for the world of work globally, and I am forever grateful to be an ambassador for UP.

Q: What are your hopes and aspirations for Africa and its people for the rest of this decade and beyond?

A: For my continent, I hope for peace, prosperity and responsible leadership going forward. Africa has endless possibilities and the youth, with the vast knowledge that we possess, can turn this continent into a powerhouse. But for that vision and mission to realise, we need to unite, we need to trust each other, and we need to be responsible leaders all round.