The Role of the SAADP in my Development
The South African Actuarial Development program (SAADP) played a crucial role in my development as an actuary and a financial services professional. My journey with SAADP began in 2004. Though I wasn’t a sponsored student at the time, all my friends were sponsored by SAADP and I was allowed to attend the extra-classes arranged for SAAPD students. In the process of time, I was sponsored by SAADP, and my appreciation of the program has only increased, both as a student and during my professional life.
My key areas of appreciation are:
- Extra classes: SAADP arranged extra classes for its students in order to increase their capacity of success within university. I benefited from the additional help, especially since the extra classes were taught by former Actuarial Science students who provided some mentorship (over and above their guidance on the course content)
- Wholistic concern: SAADP was/is not a transactional bursary scheme. Instead, we were appreciated as people and the assistance was wholistic and not just to my academic performance.
- Life-long friendships and networks: Through SAADP I was able to meet colleagues and life-long friends. Participating in the program remains a crucial foundation for my academic and professional development.
My Professional Biography
Sifiso Sibiya is the Head of Investments at South Africa’s Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF). The GEPF is a defined benefit pension fund with around 1.4 million members, comprised of employees, retirees and beneficiaries. The Fund is the largest in Africa and has assets worth ZAR 2,3 trillion (around USD 140 billion).
He holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Investments, in addition to an Honours degree in Mathematical Statistics and a degree in Actuarial Science from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Sifiso is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries, a Fellow of Actuarial Society of South Africa, a Charter Enterprise Risk Actuary and a CAIA Charterholder. He has 15 years of experience within financial services, specializing in investments, financial risk management and employee benefits. Prior to the GEPF, Sifiso worked at Alexander Forbes as an Investments Actuary and led the Actuarial Investments function. He also worked at Deloitte Financial Services Advisory as an Actuarial Manager.
