CIDA – equipping communities and organisations with work- ready graduates

As at the end of 2010 more than 1,200 students had graduated from CIDA with a BBA degree. By Amanda Dormehl

In the heart of Lyndhurst, Johannesburg, is an institution that is busy creating and nurturing future leaders of South Africa.

institution. It focuses on historically disadvantaged and marginalised youth who would otherwise not be able to access higher education. CIDA offers, with the support of major donors, the course at a fraction of the cost of other tertiary education institutions in South Africa. Approximately 90% of the students are from South Africa. The remainder are from other African countries including Kenya and Uganda. Their flagship program, the BBA (Bachelors in Business Administration) was launched in 2000. It is fully accredited by the council of Higher Education of South Africa and it is recorded at Level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework by the South African Qualifications Authority. As at the end of 2010 more than 1,200 students have graduated from CIDA with a BBA degree. The course spans 4 years with the

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first year termed “Foundation”. It forms a bridging course that enables students who had studied in science, art or other non-business directions or that have had a poor standard of education to start the BBA course with a more appropriate grounding. During the remaining 3 years of study

CIDA provides integrated business skills and knowledge in all major functions and areas of business, as well as

82 Management Today | August 2011

he Community and Individual Development Association is a virtually free higher education

“It doesn’t matter how smart you are you will never be wiser than your parents, as they have been through the university of

life.” –

Dr Vincent Maphai (Executive Director of Corporate Affairs and Transformation – SAB) speaking as the Guest Speaker at the CIDA BBA Graduation 8th July 2011.

specialised knowledge in fields such as investment and entrepreneurship, marketing, human resources management and information technology. Students can be selected for one

of three Schools of Excellence that run adjacent to the BBA course; the first being CIDA’s School of Investments, the second is the Information Communication Technology Academy and the third is the Branson School of Entrepreneurship.