Future-oriented Vivian Molotja intends to make waves in banking
Photo: Valentino Ndaba

Vivian Molotja is one of an elite group of graduates, who are selected each year from universities across the country by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) for its Cadet Graduate Programme. As of 11 January 2016, the Applied Econometrics Honours graduate from the University of the Free State (UFS) will be joining the central bank’s Bank Supervision Department at its Head Office in Pretoria.

Molotja was one of 6000 applicants, of whom only 80 were assessed. Eventually, the ”cream of the crop” were harvested. This first-generation graduate has broken barriers for future generations of graduates by being the first black female student from the UFS to make it into this prestigious programme.

Her dream is to make waves in the financial sector: “I am hoping that the programme will give me an opportunity to learn from industry experts, and gain knowledge about policy and how banking works. In the future, I see myself working for the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund. I also dream of becoming the first Black female governor of the Reserve Bank,” she said.

The SARB is responsible for the overall economic growth of South Africa, specifically in achieving and maintaining price stability. The programme’s 12 months of intensive training aims to equip young graduates with skills and knowledge of how a central bank operations.

Cadets are also admitted to the SARB Academy, where they are lectured, mentored, and coached by academics, subject experts from the Bank, and other specialist consultants. Upon completion, successful learners are awarded a certificate in the Programme in Advanced International and Central Banking - a qualification offered by the University of Johannesburg in collaboration with the academy.

Last year, Jaco Swart, a UFS student was also selected as a trainee in the SARB.  He was later named ‘Best Cadet’ for 2015. Subsequently, Swart has been considered for permanent employment at the Bank.