The inaugural South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) Summit 2025, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre from October 14–16, marked a defining moment for the accounting profession.
Uniting leaders, professionals, and policymakers under the theme, Lead Boldly. Influence Intentionally. Impact Purposefully, the three-day summit tackled critical issues shaping South Africa’s economic and social landscape, from municipal financial recovery and ethical use of AI to entrepreneurship, wellness, and personal leadership.
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In her opening address, Patricia Stock, CEO of Saica, set the tone for the landmark event, declaring the Summit “a pinnacle event for not only our members but for anyone in the finance industry.”
She emphasised the transformative journey of the chartered accountancy profession, stating, “Our profession is on its way to transformation and the work we do across the country has never been more important in shaping South Africa’s economic and social landscape.”
A keynote by the Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Namane Dickson Masemola, highlighted the urgency of collaboration to address the municipal financial crisis, which revealed that 161 of the country’s 257 municipalities were at risk of collapse due to mismanagement.
“How do we work together, public and private sector, and this body of professionals in particular, to bring together our expertise?” Dr Dickson asked, highlighting the critical need for chartered accountants’ skills in municipal financial recovery.
Day two shifted to Future-Ready Leadership, with conversations on technology ethics and professional wellness. Kris Dobie, senior manager for organisational ethics at The Ethics Institute, cautioned against blind trust in artificial intelligence.
In the wellness stream, Ronel Jooste CA (SA), award-winning entrepreneur and author, highlighted the growing importance of mental health in maintaining professional excellence.
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The final day, themed, Future Focus and Young Professionals, drew inspiration from sport and personal leadership. Former Springbok captain John Smit shared insights on teamwork and resilience, and Ehren Steenkamp, head of professional banking at Standard Bank Private SA, inspired attendees to invest in their personal brands through authenticity and self-belief.
“Your resilience and experiences shape the narrative of who you are becoming,” said Steenkamp.
Saica chief experience officer Pondo Belot reinforced this message, adding, “When people trust your personal brand, they will advocate for you.”
The summit concluded with the Saica Awards, honouring outstanding trainee trailblazers and top 35-under-35 professionals.
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