Lethu Dlamini, a 22 year old junior research analyst at Thebe Stockbroking, has taken part in a week long internship programme at the London office of the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group (JLT), one of the world’s largest insurers, thanks to assistance from travel agency Club Travel.
The weeks spent at the Jardine Lloyd Thompson office in London helped Lethu Dlamini widen her view and gain a new respect for the stockbroking industry (Image: Club Travel)
Dlamini, who hails from Richards Bay in Kwazulu-Natal and graduated with a B.Com Financial Management Sciences (Cum Laude) at Pretoria University before joining the Thebe Stockbroking internship programme in 2013, flew to the UK as part of Thebe Stockbroking’s Enterprise Development programme for graduates in the financial markets area of study.
“It is a privilege for us to be able to assist Lethu in furthering herself and support her in achieving her career goals,” said Wally Gaynor, MD of Club Travel, which is a subsidiary of the Thebe Tourism Group.
CREATING WEALTH
Dlamini, who was scouted by a Thebe Stockbroking employee at the end of her second year of studies, says: “The stockbroking industry has helped me to view the world differently and see how the different financial markets interact and my trip to the UK would not have been possible without the wonderful people at Club Travel who were so generous in sponsoring my return flights and travel card during my stay.”
The Thebe Stockbroking’s Enterprise Development programme expose interns to the workings of a stockbroking business including research and sales training, as well as equity, economic and financial market analysis. The interns are hosted by some of the 21 subsidiaries and associate companies within the Thebe Group – with Dlamini selected by a panel of adjudicators to attend the introductory rotation at JLT, the UK parent of Thebe associate company JLT South Africa.
“Where I come from, the stockbroking industry is viewed as a career path for men and not women,” said Dlamini. “It is an interesting industry and I find that I have had to change those preconceived ideas and working in the research department within Thebe has helped me in my learning experience.
“South Africans need to invest more and be financially conscience so that we can create wealth and not temporary riches.”
BEYOND IMAGINATION
She said that the week spent at the JLT office in London was an experience beyond here imagination: “My view of the insurance industry has widened and has come to be a field that I respect. Not only did I learn about the company and how it works, but through my interaction with the people I also discovered more about their cultures, views and aspirations.
“I hope that others will also get to experience this life-changing opportunity,” added Dlamini, who is completing her Honours in B.Com Financial Management Sciences at Pretoria University.”
