Fireside chat with Refiloe

Ms. Refiloe Nkadimeng serves as Group Financial Director of Thebe Investment Corporation. Her responsibilities includes being a Leader of the Finance Function across the Group, Risk Management, aspects of Corporate Governance and Management. She has extensive knowledge and experience of tax regulation and management. Thebe Times caught up with her to get her advice for young people in Youth month.

You are a role model for the youth. Give us some insight on what motivated you to study.

“I always wanted to be different. When I was growing up, your choices were pretty limited – you could either become a nurse, a policeman or a teacher. You would hear from your parent: “My daughter, you have to work hard so you can become a teacher” For me, I worked hard so I didn’t become any of those. I wanted to be different. So I worked hard to be different. I guess it worked out!”

My uncle used to have these piles of Times magazines which I read. And one day I read about this term called ‘auditor’ and I was like “Wow!”. So, instead of becoming a policeman, I could go and become a different kind of ‘policeman’ – I could investigate. I could investigate books and what happened in companies. And that just resonated with me from that moment.”

Were you just always really bright, or did you work hard to get where you are today?

“Maths came easy to me, but everything else was three times harder. I like solving problems, so with Maths it was the greatest feeling in the world when you could solve a problem.”

Was accountancy always at the top of your list of things to do?

“Auditing always was. When I became a bidholder in 1992, computers fascinated me. When I went to university, computers were my first choice and accounting was my second choice. But I got a bursary to do B. Com. which to this day, I don’t regret.”

Would you encourage young people to study in the financial field – accountancy like you did?

“I always encourage young people to do what they are passionate about. These things will come naturally and easily to you. If you’re not passionate about something, it is not going to work for you. If you do something simply to make money, you’ll just be frustrated. If you do something you love, you’ll never regret it.”

How has studying accountancy stood you in good stead in your career path?

Studying accountancy opened a whole lot of doors for me. In my auditing days I met with a whole range of clients, starting with state-owned entities, pension funds and companies like Rand Water. I remember having to read about things I had never even heard of before, in order to develop procedures with which I could audit the books. It gives you the edge to thrive in any environment.

What advice can you give to the youth about studying?

“Be like a tiger. Never take your eye off the prey. With that kind of focus, you’ll always remember why you are doing what you are doing.”

If you could give young people one tip for their time at university, what would that be?

“Play hard, study hard, have fun!” That’s the only time you’ll have to do it, so enjoy it! Create a balance for yourself.”