As the first black chartered accountant, Prof Lumkile Wiseman Nkuhlu, author of Purposeful Leadership for Africa in the 21st Century, was a pioneer in the profession and during his over 40 years in the profession he has played key roles in academia, philanthropy, development, business and politics.
From being a political prisoner on Robben Island at the age of nineteen to being the economic adviser to President Thabo Mbeki, he has been a leading light in inculcating a corporate culture of accountability, ethical business leadership and the advancement and development of South Africa.
Prof Nkuhlu is the Chairman of KPMG, and a member of the Advisory board of SAICA. He served as president of SAICA for two terms (from April 1998 to April 2000) and is passionately involved with the development of black accountants. He is also the Patron of the Nkuhlu School of Accounting at the University of Fort Hare.
Prof Nkuhlu has always had immense pride in the auditing profession. Therefore, it came as a great disappointment to him when the profession was plunged into unprecedented crises when KPMG South Africa came under the corruption spotlight and was regarded as an enabler of some of the state capture activities of the Gupta family.
This is why Prof Nkuhlu took on the role of chairman of KPMG South Africa – to help rectify what had unfolded for this 100-year old prestigious firm to become embroiled in state capture and corruption.
During his illustrious career, Prof Nkuhlu served as an economic advisor to President Thabo Mbeki and as chief executive of the Secretariat of New Partnership for Africa’s Development NEPAD from 2000 to 2005. He played a major role in the elaboration of the NEPAD policy framework and in promoting the programme both in Africa and internationally. He participates regularly as a speaker in international conferences on African Development issues and corporate governance.
In recognition of his contribution to education, business and development, Professor Nkuhlu has received several awards, including honorary doctorates from the Universities of the Free State, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Pretoria, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Witwatersrand and University of Fort Hare; and merit awards from the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce, Association for Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa and the Black Management Forum. He was also awarded the President of Convocation Medal by the University of Cape Town in June 2004. The medal is awarded to graduates of UCT for outstanding community service.