If you’ve ever wondered what the CA² Mentorship Programme is, and how it can help you not just survive but thrive during the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA/CTA), read on.
ThePGDA/CTA is one of the most demanding stages in the journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)). At Milpark’s School of Professional Accounting (incorporating CA Connect), we’re with you through the challenge.
Milpark’s CA² Mentorship Programme
The CA² Mentorship Programme connects current PGDA students with Milpark graduates who have already completed the SAICA-accredited course. There are currently 150 active mentors with firsthand experience of what it takes to succeed.
Terri-Leigh Ryklief, mentoring coordinator and senior/lead of Milpark’s Student Success and Wellness team, explains that the mentoring programme reflects Milpark’s belief that academic success and personal resilience go hand-in-hand.
“For many PGDA students, the difference between giving up and pushing on isn’t another lecture – it’s a conversation with someone who understands what they are going through. The mentors help students realise they’re not alone.”
Mentors often volunteer because they once benefited. “Some mentors are completing articles; others are already holding leadership roles. They are busy professionals who volunteer their time to guide others through the PGDA/CTA year. Their remarkable generosity of spirit embodies what Milpark stands for: community, care and collective success.”
How Mentoring Works at Milpark
Mentorship is free and open to all PGDA students. Once you apply, you are automatically paired with a mentor. “These are not academics or tutors, they are peers, who provide perspective, insights and practical advice drawn from personal experience.”
Interested in joining the CA² Mentorship Programme?
· PGDA/CTA Students: Keep an eye on Viva Engage and social media for mentoring sign-up announcements.
· Graduates: Apply to join the next intake of mentors through Milpark’s social channels or contact the Student Success and Wellness team via Milpark’s HelpDesk.
A Lifeline for PGDA Students
For many, mentorship becomes a lifeline during one of the toughest academic years. As Terri-Leigh describes it, “Mentors are a motivator in your pocket – someone who knows your story and reminds you that you are capable.”
Feedback received from recent mentees speaks volumes:
- “Mentors are like the light at the end of the tunnel – and they shine very brightly.”
- “Whenever I felt like giving up, my mentor reminded me I could do it.”
- “My mentor called me when I was about to skip a test. I went, took it, and passed.”
Mentors echo that their experience is just as rewarding:
- “It’s fulfilling to know you’re making a difference in someone’s life.”
- “Seeing my mentee’s confidence grow with every test made it worthwhile.”
- “When my mentee passed PGDA and said, ‘We did it!’ – that made all the time worth it.”
Mentoring was invaluable for Deidre Jooste (CA(SA)), a long-standing mentor and now a Milpark lecturer. Read more about her journey here: The Bold Journey: Crafting a New Era in BCom Accounting.
Committed to Your Success
The CA² Mentorship Programme is just one aspect of Milpark’s holistic ecosystem of support for PGDA/CTA students. As Terri-Leigh explains, “Personal support matters even more in an online world. Students need to know they’re seen, heard, and not alone.” Support includes:
- The Student Success & Wellness Team: Offering one-on-one consultations, live “drop-in” sessions and wellness workshops.
- Academic Support: Direct access to lecturers, structured study schedules, and weekly live sessions with teaching staff, including Assistant Lecturers and Academic Trainees (who are also Milpark PGDA/CTA alumni).
- The October Health app: 24/7 premium access to professional online mental health and performance support.
- Viva Engage: An interactive online hub where students connect, share experiences, and receive ongoing encouragement from all staff and fellow students.
- Come Study With Me: A new virtual study zone where students work alongside one another – staying focused, accountable and connected.
Read more about support available for School of Professional Accounting students here: Success Beyond Numbers: Holistic Support for Accounting Students.
A Supported Pathway to (CA(SA))
Whether you’re just starting your Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting or still considering it, success at Milpark is never a solo journey. Our flexible, fully online and SAICA-accredited PGDA/CTA helps students build not only technical excellence, but also the confidence and resilience to thrive.
If you’d like support from a mentor who understands your journey, contact the Student Success and Wellness team via the HelpDesk to sign up for the CA² Mentorship Programme.
We’ve got you. You’ve got this.