The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has given the University of South Africa (UNISA) a thumbs up for achieving an unqualified audit opinion in the 2022/23 financial year.
In a video footage released earlier this week, ACDP President Reverend Kenneth Meshoe said the achievement is a testament to the integrity of the university’s leadership.
The ACDP Member of Parliament’s stamp of approval comes after the world’s largest distance learning institution’s financial management received a clean bill of health from the Auditor General. Unisa also increased its financial reserves from R8 billion in 2018 to more than R16 billion.
Rev Meshoe praised Vice Chancellor Professor Puleng Lenkabula’s stewardship of the university, saying she and her management team had proven they were fit for purpose.
“This achievement affirms the fact that the fiscus of Unisa has been placed in good and capable hands under the collective management led by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkBula, who has handled the affairs of the university with the utmost prudence and diligence,” said Meshoe.
Meshoe celebrated the remarkable improvement in UNISA’s financial reserves, stating that “their team effort catapulted the university to grow its reserves from R8 billion in 2018 to more than double in 2022”.
This improvement is seen as a milestone step in ensuring UNISA’s sustainability and ability to fund educational initiatives.
Rev Meshoe’s sentiments echoed those of African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament, Cameron Dugmore. In a statement released on October 29th, Dugmore commended UNISA for receiving an unqualified audit opinion for the 2022/2023 financial year and praised its efforts in enhancing its global partnerships and implementing 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs), which are strategic focus areas aimed at advancing the institution’s research and educational impact.
In light of past challenges faced by UNISA, including concerns over student satisfaction and institutional management, this audit outcome is widely seen as a sign of a renewed commitment to financial integrity and strategic growth. The unqualified audit opinion not only underscores financial compliance but also enhances the institution’s reputation in South Africa’s higher education landscape.
