Following the success of the Wits Team Monomotapa in 2012, four African teams stand the chance to participate in  a global business challenge which will be hosted in South Africa this year.

South African full-time undergraduate students with a flair for business and finance have been invited to apply for the Global Business Challenge (GBC), an international business competition, run by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and is designed to identify business leaders of tomorrow.

This is the fifth year that South African students have been able to participate in this global challenge.  The deadline to register is 2 April 2013.

Witsies who were part of the winning team in the 2012 challenge. Photo Courtesy: CIMA

Witsies who were part of the winning team in the 2012 challenge. Photo Courtesy: CIMA

Teams of four compete by analysing a case study based on CIMA’s test of professional competence and submitting a 3000 word report by 19 April 2013. Last year 74 teams competed to be shortlisted for the final.

Once reports are submitted and assessed, four teams are selected and the shortlist will be announced on 24 April. These teams are invited to participate in the South African final on 16 May 2013.

The winning teams from the other 24 participating countries will fly into South Africa for the international final in August. Teams representing Australia, Bangladesh, Mainland China, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UK, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are expected to take part in the challenge. Organisers have said this would make the challenge bigger and better than ever.

CIMA Africa regional director, Samantha Louis, said she was excited that four African teams were participating this year.

“We are excited to display the depth of talent coming from our continent. It provides students with a great opportunity to test the depth of their financial knowledge and expand upon their competitive ability. In addition, it has previously led to internship opportunities from well-known organisations for many of the participants.”