by Itumeleng Maloka
During a site visit to Pretoria-based Ditheto Accountants to assess the progress of the first group of 26 Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) alumni placed through the Plug-A-Graduate (PAG) graduate employability initiative, the company commended the University on the success of the drive that TUT FM launched in April 2024.
Plug-A-Graduate is an internal collaboration project between TUT FM, TUT’s Alumni Relations Office and the Directorate of Cooperative Education.
Mmatšiana Makgoba, Ditheto Accountants Project Manager, lauded the Plug-A-Graduate initiative and the quality of the graduates, who are employed in auditing and accounting disciplines: “Since their arrival in October 2024, they have demonstrated immense progress. Although they did not have any experience in their fields, their willingness to learn and rapid development have been a game changer, transforming them into valuable company assets. This also resulted in a shift from the initial intern-oriented relationship aimed at benefitting the interns, into a mutually beneficial relationship for all.”
“I appreciate the University’s involvement in graduate employment programmes to guide applicants in the right direction, ensuring they are placed correctly. This programme will certainly contribute to eliminating skills mismatches,” she said.
Makgoba also referred to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey, according to which the graduate unemployment rate stood at a staggering 8.7% as of the fourth quarter of 2024. Graduate unemployment in part, is often attributed to insufficient work experience and skills mismatch gaps among graduates.
Tshelela, TUT FM Station Manager, highlighted the station’s role in driving the success of the Plug-A-Graduate initiative. “This initiative clearly demonstrates how media can play a transformative role in graduate employability - we will continue to use our platform to support similar life-changing opportunities.”
Explaining the choice of radio, Davhana said: “Since TUT is one of the biggest producers of human capital and future-ready professionals, PAG emerged from our mission to have a broader impact in bridging the gap between students and industry professionals. Radio, a powerful medium to connect students with industry experts and recruiters, was a logical choice.”
Previously featured as a guest on the Plug-A-Graduate radio show, Nokuthula Makhaya, a recruitment agent and human resource specialist, lauded the initiative and its effectiveness in it making it easier for recruitment agents to identify talent. “Plug-A-Graduate expedited our 2024 recruitment process, enabling us to close applications within just a few days and having students lined up outside our Pretoria office, eager to seize the opportunity to work for Ditheto Accountants.”
According to Post-graduate diploma in accounting student, Tumelo Mmako, she knew nothing about auditing when she joined the company last year. With the help of Makgoba, she swiftly learnt and built her competencies in auditing.
Mmako added: “We gained valuable job hunting insights and encouragement through the initiative. Its impact can never be overstated, given how difficult job hunting can be for fresh graduates.”
Another student, Angel Manganya, echoed the sentiments: “Despite many job applications, this was the first time I have been invited for an interview. The PAG programme helps students and graduates to get recruited by companies that are willing to train them from scratch.”
Akin to PAG, Ditheto Accountants did not narrowly focus on empowering graduates without experience. Employment opportunities were also extended to graduates with experience, such as Mahlatse Maganyane, an alumna who completed her internal auditing qualification in 2018.
Concluding the site visit, Ditheto Accountants and the TUT stakeholders discussed their continued partnership and the prospects of future collaboration, geared towards empowering more graduates.
The Plug-A-Graduate delegation that visited Pretoria-based Ditheto Accountants
to assess the progress of the first group of 26 Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
alumni placed through the PAG graduate employability initiative.