WINDHOEK– For Wilbard Amwele, National Accounting Talent Search Examination Award (NATS) overall winner, and a Grade 12 learner at Jan Möhr Secondary School, life is about pushing the limits as one does not know how far she/he can go till she/he press that button.
Given the role that accountants play in society, and the fact that Namibia has a shortage of skilled accountants, and that accounting has been declared as one of the priority areas of education by the government of Namibia, the University of Namibia (Unam)’s accounting department launched NATS in 2011 to identify, nurture and promote accounting talents. According to Lukas Nakweenda, NATS Deputy Coordinator, the talent search examination aims to sensitise young Namibians about the importance of accountancy, auditing and finance as a career and motivate them to pursue accounting education. In the same vein, this will also motivate aspiring candidates by providing some financial support in a form of attractive cash prizes.
“This is also aimed to develop a database of accounting learners that will be useful for accounting firms, government and other organisations in identifying the candidates for bursaries and/or sponsorships. NATS also identifies and motivates potential learners to join the newly developed Bachelor of Accounting Chartered Accountancy Programme at UNAM,”adds Nakweenda at the Award ceremony recently.
Amwele says entering the competition was the best thing he did. “I entered this competition because I love accounting, I was not really expecting to win, it all comes by surprise,” says he adding excitedly this is the first time to enter the competition. “Writing the examination was a challenge. I haven’t seen such a challenging multiple choice, but I did it.”
“For those planning to be part of the competition next year, you must love Accounting and willing to study very hard and believe in themselves,” concludes Amwele.
About 43 schools and 722 learners participated in the National Accounting Talent Search Examination and only twenty of the participated were winners. The three top performers on national level as well one top performer from each region receives attractive cash prizes ranging from N$ 7500 to N$ 2000 each.
By Sabina Elago