The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Auditing and Taxation Department hosted a function to welcome and honour the first-year Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) students, at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus, Durban on Friday, 27 May 2022.

Mary Mutanda, Coordinator for the Extended Curriculum Programme and Lecturer in the Auditing and Taxation Department welcomed and congratulated the ECP students for being part of the ECP 2022 class. She referred to them as being a special breed because the ECP programme is a four-year Diploma course and does not take three years as other normal Diploma courses. After welcoming them she also motivated them to work hard so that they can fulfil their dreams through this programme.

“Being in the ECP does not mean you are not intelligent, but it is a great advantage to you in that you have an extra year to be the best you can be. This programme is a great opportunity to enrol in the field that you admire,” said Mutanda.

She also thanked the Department of Higher Education and Training as well as DUT for allowing this precious programme which started in 2013.

“Some of these students are becoming part of the top achievers in the Faculty and occupy high offices in the working world. This programme is giving a second chance to students who did not have enough points to enrol into the main stream course,” she added.

Giving her insight was Dr Lulu Jali, the Head of Department: Taxation and Auditing Department.

She said: “Respect in the classroom environment is the core principle that we need to adhere to, without respect we have lost Ubuntu. The respect in the classroom comes in a two-way street, from the lecturer and the student, so we must respect each other in order to keep the spirit of Ubuntu. Invest in your studies to achieve your goals, avoid barriers because time waits for no man.”

Onika Mpuhlu, former ECP student, gave her advice and motivation on how to overcome challenges and achieve goals as an ECP student.

“Keep the main goal, a main goal! Always put yourself first, surround yourself with people who have the same passion and goal as you and that will help you grow and achieve your goals. Always remember why you are here. I was once sitting here like you thinking I’m not good enough because I’m in this programme but look at me now I am a very proud ECP graduate with very good results,” said Mpuhlu.

Further into the programme, the students presented on topics such as Auditing, Taxation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth in South Africa. The presentations formed part of their assessment which will contribute to their final mark in the Accounting Literacy module.

One of the students, Sihle Nkosi shared a presentation on the relationship between Internal Auditing and Taxation.

“Internal Auditing is the subsequently evaluation of a company’s internal controls including its corporate governance, whereas in Taxation we are talking about the compulsory levies imposed by the government body on personal and corporate incomes. So, the relationship between these two professions is that Taxation works on the changing and imposition of the tax laws, while Internal Auditing works on examining and evaluating whether the organisation complies with such laws,” said Nkosi, an ECP Diploma in Internal Auditing student.

Taxation student, Eyami Mkhize gave a talk on the Auditing profession.

“Auditing is an official examination and verification of a business’s financial records. Before we even know what Auditing is all about its important to note that Auditing doesn’t provide a whole guarantee that everything that is recorded in the company’s financial reports is accurate. However, the main goal of Auditing is to make sure that all company’s financial statements are accurate and up to date and are also following necessary regulations and guidelines. Also, Auditing gives investors, creditors and other stakeholder’s reasonable assurance that they can rely on a company and its integrity,” said Mkhize.

Lethukuthula Manyoni also emphasised on the relationship between Taxation and Internal Auditing.

“The Taxation professionals work on changing the taxation laws, employment conditions and any company law. Whilst the Internal Auditing professionals examine and evaluate whether businesses comply with these laws and changes which promote social responsibilities in organisations. These two professionals also come together when tackling the issue of risk and risk management,” said Manyoni, an ECP Diploma in Taxation student.

At the end of the programme all students were given DUT personalised bags, caps and T-shirts with their names, surnames and student numbers. The best presentation achievers were joint winners, Lethukuthula Manyoni from the ECP Diploma in Taxation who won first prize and Sihle Nkosi from the ECP Diploma in Internal Auditing, who also won the first prize.

Pictured: DUT Auditing and Taxation students and staff members.

Nomvelo Zulu