Mamello Mofokeng Shines Bright Like A Diamond As The Only Woman Selected To Compete At The III International Olympiad on Financial Security
Johannesburg, Tuesday, 13 October 2023: Mamello Mofokeng, a BSc in Life Sciences in Microbiology with Business Management student at the University of South Africa made history in Russia. The Krugersdorp born, Parys and Vaal raised student and entrepreneur was the only woman in the South African team which achieved the highest scores in the qualifying stage of the III International Olympiad on Financial Security in. Out of the 12 500 students that wrote the qualifiers, Simelane was one of the 550 students awarded a life‑changing opportunity to travel to the final stage held in Sochi, Russia — a beautiful summer beach resort city nestled within the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains.
The prestigious competition was held from the 2nd of October 2023 to the 6th of October 2023 where the brightest minds from 19 countries were to commune, network and innovate collaboratively in an effort to rid the world of financial crimes such as money laundering, digital identity theft, financing terrorist activities and more.
South Africa’s Participation In The IIII International Olympiad on Financial Security in Sochi, Russia
Mofokeng formed part of the South African team which entailed 7participants, 1 team leader and 2 coordinators from the University of Pretoria and South Africa Forum for Russian Alumni. In total, there were 7 participants who were going to compete with the best of the best from the world. Four students from the South African team competed in the Jurisprudence (Law) stream. The other three students participated in the Economics stream.
The idea of hosting an Olympiad which focuses primarily on financial security was initiated three years ago. Rosfinmonitoring in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the International Educational and Methodological Centre, Talent and Success Foundation and the federal territory of Sirius are behind the initiative with full support and backing from the Kremlin.
The main goal of the Olympiad is to drive the enhancement of the information, financial and legal literacy of the younger generation whilst searching for talented youth and stimulating educational, cognitive and research activities in the field of financial security.
The Importance of the International Olympiad on Financial Security
The idea of hosting an Olympiad which focuses primarily on financial security was initiated three years ago. Rosfinmonitoring in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the International Educational and Methodological Centre, Talent and Success Foundation and the federal territory of Sirius are behind the initiative with full support and backing from the Kremlin.
The main goal of the Olympiad is to drive the enhancement of the information, financial and legal literacy of the younger generation whilst searching for talented youth and stimulating educational, cognitive and research activities in the field of financial security. The Olympiad seeks to achieve the following tasks:
1. Creating conditions for an individual educational trajectory, promotion of the professional orientation for schoolers and students with the view of the human resources formation for the financial security system.
2. Shaping of a new way of thinking and a new format of activity, identification of talented scholars and students in the field of financial security.
3. Forming a unified educational and research space and, in the long term, creation of an information space in the field of financial security.
Raising the UNISA flag high in a passionate spirit of patriotism ?
During a busy week of workshops, networking, learning and building bridges, the team found time to experience the finest and most intriguing activities and experiences that Russian tourism can offer — from beach visits to engaging with the locals to a breathtaking experience of Krasnaya Polyana. Team South Africa undoubtedly received exceptional hospitality, support and love in Sochi, Russia; whilst engaging and building relationships with their peers from the 18 nations that were represented in this year’s instalment of the competition.
Mofokeng’s participation was testament to the capabilities of South African women in academia, entrepreneurship and technology and gave our country the much needed dignity that it deserves — carving a path for the next generation of youth in South Africa who will shape a bright future for our country. The South African team returns with accreditation and validation for completing training in anti‑money laundering, combating financing terrorism, the use of the Graphus system to conduct financial intelligence investigations and regulatory frameworks related to digital currencies. Additionally, the seven participants were awarded with Diplomas by Yuriy Chikhanchin, the Director of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring), RUDN University, Bank of Russia, The Government of Russian Federation and other strategic partners.
International Honours & Validation
The South African team returns with accreditation and validation for completing training in anti‑money laundering, combating financing terrorism, the use of the Graphus system to conduct financial intelligence investigations and regulatory frameworks related to digital currencies. Additionally, the seven participants were awarded with Diplomas by Yuriy Chikhanchin, the Director of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring), RUDN University, The Government of Russian Federation and other strategic partners.
Mofokeng intends to leverage this win to carve out a bright future for herself and other South African youth in new careers in the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing Terrorism, ICT, marketing and science fields. She plans on completing her degree at UNISA and working with her university to increase visibility and highlight the capabilities of students. Additionally, after completing her BSc in Life Sciences, she intends to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration at UNISA and then pursue business, technology and science related fields to contribute to the enhancement, progression and evolution of the Republic of South Africa.
What’s next for Mofokeng?
On reaching the final stage and the top 7 in South Africa, Mofokeng had the following to say about it: “On the 4th of October 2023, I was selected as a diplomatic representative to represent South Africa when His Excellency Vladimir Putin addressed the innovators and students from 19 countries. It was an honour to speak on how South Africa is a multi-ethnic country and why that makes us great, creative and innovative”. It is an undisputed fact and feat that Mofokeng’s future is very bright and he is one of the young leaders that will shape the future of the Republic of South Africa bringing much needed prosperity, hope and innovation. This is a major win for the University of South Africa and the country and it all came from merit and hard work.