Testimonials – Next Step Academy

H.M. DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL

During 2017 they hosted a group of senior managers from four African countries, namely Gambia, Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda for a special training program in Good Financial Governance and Dr Dirk Brand and Deon van der Westhuizen contributed significantly to the content and facilitation of the program. The governance and risk focus of the weekling program was based on KING IV and COSO. It was evident that the participants had a very positive learning experience and we were also impressed with the organisation and management provided by the School of Public Leadership. They have experience in working with people from different countries and also manage an international project well.

School for Public Leadership

Deon van der Westhuizen and Dirk Brand have been appointed as an Extraordinary Lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch: School for Public Leadership (SPL) since September 2010. With his background as Chartered Accountant (SA) and as a Certified Internal Auditor providing services to various governmental institutions and Corporate Businesses in Commerce and Industry, his skills were used in several areas applicable to the public sector. His experience in both Public Financial Management and local government led to his inclusion on many projects within the School for Public Leadership, as well as research projects.
His research

Francisco Nassaux: Aecom Internaitonal Development: EU

During 2016 National Treasury, through the European Union, as part of the Financial Management Improvement Program, requested assistance with the review of the adequacy of their risk management framework and toolkit. Deon van der Westhuizen and Karin Badenhorst were selected as the expert consultants to perform the review. Both the role players are regarded as experts in the field of risk management, and during several engagements with National Treasury acquitted themselves on both professional and technical levels.

Andrea Henriques: Director Advantage Training

Advantage Training has been at the forefront on African Corporate Governance Conferences since 2009 and we are currently running our 31st Corporate Governance Conference. Over the years, we have been able to identify the leading presenters in this field, and Deon van der
Westhuizen is one of those. Deon has been a frequent speaker on our International Corporate Governance Conferences since June 2018. He is once again on our illustrious speaker panel at our upcoming conference, at the end of July 2021. Deon is an expert on Combined Assurance and Integrated Reporting, and his topics challenge the participants on the latest practical application of frameworks, such as King IV. His ratings are always very-good or excellent. We always request that participants comment on our speakers ability, and Deon’s comments are always that his content adds value, is relevant, practical and thought provoking. He makes excellent use of case-studies and is very knowledgeable. In his delivery, he is interesting and very engaging. Deon is very well respected and admired as a presenter by our delegates, and as a speaker of Advantage Training’s, Deon is always willing to go the extra mile. He is conscientious and professional and always willing to step in. As a person, I thoroughly enjoy working with Deon, his level of commitment and professionalism are meritorious.

Rendani Makhado – Retired Head of Internal audit

The facilitator is a true expert in his field of knowledge, his ability to transfer knowledge by breaking it down into practical day-to-day examples makes him the best trainer in the country.

Elbe Stander – Oudtshoorn Municipality

Baie baie dankie vir al jou harde werk en tyd wat jy ingesit en vir al jou hulp die afgelope jaar. Ek het so ongelooflik baie by jou geleer. Ek sal dit beslis vorentoe kan gebruik.

Prof Erwin Schwella

Governance in municipalities:- This is the best team of facilitators on the relevant matters in South Africa. I have substantive evidence for my professional opinion in this matter linked to the performance of this team over many years.

Ms Julie-May Ellingson | Chief Executive Officer : CTICC

Thank you for your excellent lectures on unit standard 116339. The team and I have really enjoyed the course and will be putting the knowledge we have gained into practice.