As we wrap up 2021 and look back it has been a mixed bag of highs and lows. The biggest problem with 2020 and 2021 — beyond the obvious effects of the pandemic — has been that they caught us off guard and threw us into a whirlpool of uncertainty. 'Unprecedented times' brought us a life that we weren't prepared for. Covid-19 remains a global concern and contributed to the global market being thrown into upheaval. The rising uncertainty in key markets as a result of the pandemic has created challenging environments in which treasurers world-wide have to operate. The Association of Corporate Treasurers of Southern Africa (ACTSA) has once again weathered the storm and performed well despite all the challenges.
We had several firsts this year, most noteworthy being the launch of the e-learning treasury programme in association with the University of the Free State Business School. We also launched new social media platforms to increase our online visibility along with our new and improved website.
Since the inception of the MPG in 2018 the SARB has afforded ACTSA the opportunity to provide its members a platform for treasurers to engage with the SARB. In September we hosted a virtual SARB MPG Discussion Forum focussing on Benchmark Interest Rate Transition. We as an association, that represents corporate treasurers, are most appreciative of this collaboration.
The presentation was certainly comprehensive in guiding corporates to actively participate and provide input on the reform of key interest rate benchmarks used in South Africa and to better understand the global shift towards new reference rates and the key milestones and activities in transitioning from Jibar to new reference rates.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our members and sponsors. We appreciate your loyalty and support and hope that you will continue to give us the opportunity to build an sssociation that is mutually beneficial and strives to establish Treasury as a fundamental facet of finance. Please read on to see what we have been up to.
ACTSA was delighted to launch the e-learning Corporate Treasury Short Learning Programme in association with the University of the Free State Business School.
Now more than ever has an e-learning platform being offered been so vital to enable the continuation of education/training. The online platform has enabled treasury practioners from across the country to engage and learn about the fundamentals of treasury and create a path for future success.
We had an outstanding response to the course and we look forward to the course growing from year to year.
The next in take of participants will be in the second quarter of 2022, so please keep an eye out for further communications.
After months of hard work and dedication, we are delighted to officially launch the website which will be faster, easier to navigate, and more user-friendly. Our goal with this new website is to provide our visitors an easier way to learn about ACTSA's services and to browse information based on their own choice. The new website gives better access to Who We Are, How We Work, Education Programme, Best Practices, SA Treasurers Journal, Knowledge Centre, Events Calendar, as well as an improved Careers page.
It was a great pleasure to introduce the 2021 issue of The South African Treasurer, which focuses on a "Resilient Treasury now and into the future" to our members. More than ever the change brought on by the global Covid 19 pandemic has certainly redefined what it means to be resilient in a vastly different world. It certainly highlighted the need to futureproof your business to survive. In this issue we will look at why corporate treasury needs to become more effective in South Africa.
The magazine, published in association with Treasury Management International, forms one of a wide and varied spectrums of events organised by ACTSA on issues pertinent to Treasurers with its primary aim to educate, inform and grow our profession and its profile within our companies.
The Careers Page has been very well received this year. The careers page is two fold:
1. It allows job seekers, both members and non-members, interested in a career in treasury the opportunity to seek Treasury specific jobs posted on this page.
2. The platform will enable ACTSA Members the opportunity to post vacancies whereby the treasury skills required for the vacancy would be crystallised, to better understand the ultimate requirements of a true treasurer.
Click here to see the latest Job Vacancies
If you would like more information on the Careers Page please contact Artemis on 082 653 0299 or agalatis@actsa.org.za
Our 2021 events calendar was filled with a number of webinars covering pertinent topics:
· ACTSA/DIA Webinar:State of the SA Debt Capital Markets and funding alternatives
· ACTSA/BDO Webinar:Crypto & Decentralised Finance: Changing the world of Treasury risk management
· ACTSA/Deloitte/Absa Webinar: ACTSA Panel discussion on Cash Management during a Covid-19 recovery period
· SARB MPG Forum
· ACTSA/S&P: Global Ratings & Sustainable Finance & ESG Webinar
· Cash Management Virtual Workshop
Click here to watch the webinars
On behalf of the Board and the team at ACTSA we wishes you peace, joy and prosperity throughout the coming new year. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to working with you in the year to come.
Please note the ACTSA office will close on December 15th 2021 and reopen on January 3rd 2022