This book recounts over 60 years in the remarkable life of a man of many firsts – specifically the first African Chartered Accountant in South Africa. It tells the story of how Lumkile Wiseman Nkuhlu played key roles not only in the accounting profession, but also in academia, philanthropy, development and business.

The first edition of A Life of Purpose is about Wiseman’s resilience and determination in the face of economic adversity and political repression. It as much about the forging of his professional career as it is about the formation of his foundational values, work ethic and leadership skills.

This second edition, which includes the original chapters of the first edition, describes Wiseman’s life and achievements from 2006 to 2023. During this period he served at an international level in organisations such as the International Organisation of Employers (IoE) and the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS). In the academic sphere, he contributed to the transformation of the University of Pretoria during the 15 years he was chancellor. He has remained a trustee of the civil society organisation ACCORD, the African Union’s Covid 19 African Response Fund, and a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). The Wiseman Nkuhlu Trust, which he established, has played a pioneering role in paving the way for young black students of accounting and promoting public debate about the fundamental role of the accounting and auditing professions in South Africa. Since 2018, Wiseman has served on the advisory council for the Auditor General of South Africa and he remains chairman of KPMG SA, after assisting to steer the company from its fall from grace in the state capture era.

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