Committee, appointments he takes very seriously as a burden of responsibility to ensure transformation and the development of the next generation of leaders.
investor-ready entrepreneurs. In a nutshell, Bohlale has been able to create employment sustainably and impact the beneficiaries and cohorts positively over the past year in existence,” he says. Peter also sits on the National Leadership committee of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants in Southern Africa (ABASA) and the Accounting Principles Board (APB) Transformation
through customised Enterprise Supplier Development (ESD) programmes for over 500 SMMEs in just under a year. It has facilitated the employment of 40 graduates through its SAICA-accredited flagship graduate programmes. “We have seen our beneficiaries and cohorts increase in revenue, employment capacity and improved financial acumen and compliance. The improvement has led to a 60% improvement in our
Peter obtained a BCom (Accounting) in 2012 and a Certificate in Theory of Accountancy (Accounting Specialisation in Chartered Accountancy) from the University of Johannesburg.
Schalk Burger When I was abroad, I realised how African I am, I wanted to be in South Africa whereas before I often thought I wanted to be overseas. Now I have three words for students: Please don’t go. – Schalk Burger
It is great to be acknowledged and that years of hard work have not gone unnoticed, he says. Xhuma has disrupted the talent management industry by connecting top talent with many of Africa’s largest corporate funders. It has equipped thousands of learners to find their true career fit through its revolutionary artificial intelligence-driven career guidance ecosystem. The Xhuma app helps solve a question asked by high school learners and their parents alike: What do you want to do with your life? Many do not know the answer to that question, while some have no idea where to even begin, says Schalk, who co-founded the company with student mate, Sicelo Joja. Combining their shared passion for South Africa, the youth and technology, they designed the proudly South African Xhuma app (Xhuma means “to connect”) right here on home ground.
Schalk Burger, CEO of technology start-up Xhuma, believes in living with a curious mind. A mindset that is focussed on innovative practical solutions to real world problems. At a mere 28 years old, the 2021 SAICA Top-35-Under-35 finalist was the youngest of the 2021 cohort. “Being the youngest finalist is a massive privilege, and hopefully it encourages other young people to be bold and daring to reach for their goals and think outside the box. Why wait until you’re 45, you can have a go at it right now,” says Schalk who co-founded Xhuma with his fellow UJ alumnus, Sicelo Joja. “Our team at Xhuma consist of under-30’s only and as such we bring a fresh and unique perspective to the table that is free from notions of ‘how things have always been done’. We see the advantages together with the dangers and pitfalls of modern technology and we can make sense of it for tech-savvy young people. And that’s what makes what we do quite unique.”
Schalk Burger
Schalk Burger is a former
investment banker turned technology entrepreneur. His love for socio- economic upliftment and his passion for innovation collided to form technology start-up disrupter Xhuma.
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ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
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