Thebe Stockbroking Internship Programme

Inspired by great people, two of Thebe’s Intern’s, share their experiences of being exposed to a world of possibilities that allow them to learn and grow.

Tumishang Teffo is inspired by the investment acumen of famous investors Warren Buffet and George Soros. His colleague at Thebe Stockbroking, Lethu Dlamini, is inspired by her dad, a self-made entrepreneur from Richards Bay.

Tumishang (24) and Lethu (22) are the products of the Thebe Stockbroking’s internship programme, a project that transforms ambitious, young graduates into excellent investment professionals. The pair graduated from the University of Pretoria with Bachelor of Commerce degrees in financial management sciences. Since joining Thebe Stockbroking, they have both added Honours Degrees to their CVs.

Thebe Stockbroking has made it possible for Tumishang to become trader on the JSE – the biggest stock market in Africa with over R7 trillion in market capitalisation. The internship has exposed the young trader to various aspects of the business including research, sales and marketing, and now equity trading.

“I have learned a lot about stock market trading here at Thebe and I believe it is the right place for me to learn and grow,” says Tumishang.
Though proud of his accomplishments, Tumishang thinks that his family is “oblivious” to the fact that he is a stock trader. “They don’t recognise the importance and significance of what I do as a trader. They are simply happy that I am doing what I love and that I’m happy doing it,” he says.

Thebe Stockbroking’s flexible workplace environment was a major benefit to Lethu, a junior research analyst because being able to work half-days gave her enough time to study and attend classes.

“Thebe Stockbroking has taught me the intricacies of initiating research coverage. You are taught to strip the company naked in order to see everything,” she says.

Her work entails attending analysts’ presentations, engaging management of listed companies, and analysing company financial statements. Her research findings determine whether she places a “buy”, “sell” or “hold” recommendations on the companies she is analysing.

Her training programme has even her as far afield as London, where she spent a week visiting the headquarters of risk management adviser and insurance broker, JLT, which is part of the Thebe family “In London I was exposed to the world of selling insurance as opposed to what I am accustomed to here at Thebe – selling and buying stocks. I also learned about what makes JLT so big and who they are competing with,” says Lethu.

London left a lasting impression on her.

“I got the impression that England is wealthier than South Africa. I think we have the potential to be like them if we get our act together. As a country, we need to be more innovative and entrepreneurial and utilise all the opportunities we get,” she says.
Lethu’s entrepreneur father is her role model. “He is always thinking ahead. I don’t need to be like him, but I do want to think like him,” she explains.

Thebe Stockbroking welcomes the 2014 intake of interns in April. We wish them well in their new professional journeys.