The Vunani Coronation Training Academy celebrated 21 years as Africa’s only dedicated training academy for equity investment analysts, offering intensive on-the-job training and mentorship.

The academy has produced more than 30 alumni who have gone on to take up senior leadership positions in various industries.

Altogether, Vunani says the alumni are responsible for more than R350-billion in assets under management (AUM).

“It is incredibly heartening to witness what happens when committed partners collaborate to achieve meaningful and inclusive transformation of South Africa’s financial services industry,” Coronation Fund Managers CEO Anton Pillay said in a media release.

Coronation has provided financial backing to the Vunani Academy since 2007.

“It’s very rewarding to see the graduates applying what they have learned across many esteemed positions in the investment industry and beyond,” Arnold Werbeloff, who has been running the academy since its inception in 2004, said in the release.

Werbeloff has been running the academy since its inception in 2004.

The Vunani Coronation Training Academy was established to address the shortage of skilled equity analysts in South Africa.

Its focus is to create opportunities for young, talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to build successful and impactful careers in the financial services industry.

Speaking to Engineering News, Vunani Securities CEO Michael Makate described the programme as “one-of-a-kind” and “unique”, attributing its success to Werbeloff, as well as to Coronation’s sponsorship.

“Most of our alumni are black females, and they've been holding key positions within their respective organisations. Some are rated analysts, some are entrepreneurs, both local and also on global stages,” he added, noting a shortage of black females in the industry.

Makate hosted a gala dinner at the Inanda Club, in Sandton, on April 10, to honour staff and graduates.

Over the years, Vunani Corporate Finance and Vunani Securities also employed several graduates from the academy.

“Reaching the 21-year mark is a proud moment for all of us involved in the academy.

“What stands out most is the calibre of our students. We’ve trained 36 individuals to date, as well as four currently enrolled, and it’s been a privilege to watch so many of our graduates thrive in senior roles both locally and internationally,” Werbeloff said in the release.

Vunani noted that its alumni have gone on to build careers as sell-side and buy-side analysts, portfolio managers, economists, corporate finance specialists, management consultants and investor relations managers, noting that one has become an internationally renowned executive coach.

Coronation launched its Business Support Programme in 2006 to provide select stockbroking firms with financial and operational support, as well as business advice to help them grow and succeed. Vunani Securities was one of the initial partner firms in the programme.

In 2007, the partnership evolved further with the establishment of the Vunani Coronation Training Academy.

“Long-term commitment and passion have always been central to who we are as a business. When we opened our doors at the dawn of democracy, we demonstrated our belief in the immense potential of South Africa.

“We also recognised that SA Inc had a pivotal role in ensuring the transition to a just and equitable society. Since the beginning, we have remained hands-on in all our initiatives, as is the case with the Academy,” Pillay said in the release.