KPMG unveils University of Pretoria scholarship to honour Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu
Global accounting and consulting firm KPMG has launched the Wiseman Nkuhlu Scholarship to honour its Chairman Wiseman Nkuhlu.
Appointed to the role of Chairman at the start of 2018, Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu is a well-known leader, renowned for his groundbreaking achievements in education, corporate governance and economic development. As South Africa’s first black Chartered Accountant, he broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of African professionals in the finance and business sectors.
Under his leadership, KPMG reformed its corporate governance and successfully rebuilt trust in its brand after a turbulent period in which the firm was implicated in a few scandals, most notably the Gupta affair. Today, KPMG has around 2,200 professionals working across its offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth.
The firm offers audit, accounting, tax, financial advisory, consulting, and technology services. Last month, its advisory business was named among the leading consultancies in the nation.
To honour Wiseman Nkuhlu’s leadership and contributions as Chairman, KPMG has launched a scholarship in his name, in partnership with the University of Pretoria. The three-year scholarship is open to newly qualified Black South African Chartered Accountants and aims to increase the representation of young accounting doctorates and professors.
“This scholarship celebrates Wiseman’s extraordinary leadership and lifelong commitment to education, empowerment, and the sustainable growth of the accounting profession. It seeks to inspire future generations in the accounting and auditing profession while supporting the next generation of business leaders in South Africa and beyond,” stated KPMG in a release.
About Wiseman Nkuhlu
Wiseman Nkuhlu made history in 1976 as the first Black African to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa. His groundbreaking achievement paved the way for greater inclusion in the profession and inspired generations. Over the decades, he has held numerous leadership roles across business, academia, and public service, earning widespread respect for his integrity, vision, and commitment to building institutions that serve society.
His long-standing commitment to education is reflected in his 15-year tenure as Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, a role he held until June 2022. Before this, he was the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Transkei from 1987 to 1991, driving forward educational transformation during a pivotal time in South Africa.
Wiseman Nkuhlu has also made significant contributions to development finance, serving as Chairman of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) for five years. His expertise in finance is further highlighted by his involvement with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), where he is a member of the Advisory Board and a former two-term President from April 1998 to April 2000.
One of Professor Nkuhlu’s most notable contributions to African development was his role as Economic Advisor to President Thabo Mbeki and his leadership as Chief Executive of the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) from 2000 to 2005. During this time, he played a key role in formulating the NEPAD policy framework, promoting its vision both across Africa and internationally, and advocating for African development issues at global conferences.
His commitment to excellence has earned him numerous accolades, including Honorary Doctorates from the Universities of the Free State, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Pretoria, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Witwatersrand, and the University of Fort Hare.
Wiseman Nkuhlu has also been honoured by the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce, the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa, and the Black Management Forum for his contributions to business and the advancement of Black professionals.
