Candidates will learn the principles of strategy in which they gain an understanding of thinking approaches and actions that allow for the creation and execution of strategic change in an organisation. It will assist the candidate to identify the variables that lead to organisations gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Candidates will explore the vital importance of integration among the activities of an organisation, to ensure both sustainability and long-term success. They will also utilise the basics tools of strategic analysis of the external and internal environment of an organisation. It also applies analytical thinking and decision frameworks to generate sustainable performance in competitive local and global environments.

This module provides candidates with the foundation for understanding the role of accounting functions external (Financial Accounting) and internal (Management Accounting) to organisations. It is designed to show candidates how the two areas dovetail and are used effectively to achieve the objective of the firm which is to maximise shareholders wealth and communicate with stakeholders. It also equips candidates to handle an institution’s financial reports and data.
Topics include:
1. Financial Statements – Understanding Statements of Comprehensive Income, Financial
Position and Cash Flows
2. Analysis of Financial Statements
3. Cost Classifications and Allocations
4. Cost Behaviour, Variable Costing and Break-Even Analysis
5. Budgeting

Here we focus on creating and disseminating theoretical and practical knowledge and skills which translate into the steps in the development of a marketing plan, an understanding of the environment in which the marketing function operates and the role of marketing management. In addition, business models are taught in order to provide an in-depth understanding of the strategic portion of the marketing plan, including a customer-driven marketing strategy (STP) and the ability to construct an integrated marketing programme that delivers superior value. The main outcome of this course is to manage profitable customer relationships using Relationship Marketing and CRM thinking in an emerging market/African context.

This module develops skills that are pivotal to further business studies and business practice, namely business communication and quantitative analysis skills. Skills development areas of expertise include critical communication skills; quantitative skills; integrating statistics into business analysis skills.

We introduce candidates to the general legal principles regulating business transactions in South Africa. The first part places the regulatory framework for business transactions in context and highlights the importance of a knowledge of the legal system to business transactions. The regulatory instruments of significance to investments and business transactions are discussed. The second part considers important legal concepts and principles, including legal personality, the sources of South African law, and the hierarchy of the court system, with an emphasis on the impact of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 on law. The third part focusses on the legal requirements for binding contracts, including the enforcement of contracts and the remedies that are available in case of a breach of contractual provisions. Specific types of contracts under the law of sale, the law of lease, and the law of agency are discussed and the legal principles affecting the formation, governance, maintenance and dissolution of common types of business entities in South Africa, with particular emphasis on companies, are introduced. Topics in this course include an introduction to the SA legal system; principles of contract; overview of recent developments in consumer protection law; and company law.