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How many chartered accountancy students does it take to stack a bunch of tyres?

The answer became clear during the recent Amazing Exploration event hosted by the School of Accountancy in collaboration with the Health and Wellness Centre and the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Write Site.

From attempting to balance ten nails on a single point to throwing and catching balls in rapid succession, students in the Chartered Accountant stream were given the opportunity to step outside the classroom and engage in a series of interactive challenges. While the atmosphere was filled with energy and laughter, the activities served a far more intentional purpose.

“Today is all about practically illustrating what our students will encounter in the workplace,” explains Kobus Swanepoel, Senior Lecturer in the School of Accountancy.

The event featured a diverse range of activities, spanning everything from professionally rewriting emails to navigating complex ethical dilemmas. At first glance, tasks such as stacking tyres or balancing nails may seem unrelated to the accounting profession. Yet, at their core, these challenges are designed to cultivate the very competencies required of future chartered accountants.

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) requires students to develop specific professional values, attitudes, and acumen (PVAA), closely aligned with the UFS Graduate Attributes. These include emotional intelligence, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, and an appreciation for diversity. In response, the School of Accountancy has partnered with various units across the university to support the holistic development of its students.

“We are committed to being student-centred,” says Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee, Director of the Health and Wellness Centre, “and through this partnership, we can support students where they need it most”. The stress and anxiety management activities presented by Health and Wellness on the day form part of a broader, year-long Postgraduate Accountancy Student Support (PASS) programme. “Through this programme, we are intentional about providing high-impact mental health interventions – especially for postgraduate students who have limited time within an already demanding curriculum,” Dr Dunn-Coetzee adds.

Judging by the vibrant atmosphere throughout the day, students clearly valued the opportunity to engage differently with their learning.

“Today gave me a more realistic understanding of what we’re going to do after our studies,” reflects student Leyton Valentyne. “There are so many aspects to consider, including being a good person and knowing how to work with clients.”

And what about the tyre-stacking challenge?

“Yes!” says another student, Mukhethwa Tharage. “I came to understand that you cannot always rush into things. Sometimes you need to pause, reflect, and look at the bigger picture.”

In this way, what may seem like simple games become something more: moments of insight, reflection, and preparation for the complex realities of professional life.