The University of Fort Hare and the BANKSETA have launched a new Centre of Excellence to help build capacity to in the field of Financial Markets. The function was held at the Regent Hotel, East London on 23 February 2010 and  was marked by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.

This re-affirms the sound relations that exist between the financial sector and the Faculty of Management and Commerce.  The new Center is located in the Department of Economics.  Other examples are the Nedbank Chair in Economics and the Sanlam Chair in Business and Enterprise.

As the University moves towards its centenary in 2016, it needs such executive programmes  to catalyze local and national development. The stock exchange link established through the BANKSETA Center of Excellence seeks to provide high-level specialization and place our graduates in the forefront of best practices in financial markets, said the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Mvuyo Tom.

The Chief Executive Officer of BANKSETA, Max Makhubalo, a Fort Hare Alumnus himself, said that  part of the BANKSETA mandate is to bring blacks and females into the mainstream of the economy and empower them to establish their own firms.

 He added that in the Libode, Lusikisiki and Bizana districts, BANKSETA is involved in helping teachers to teach better while the Thuthuka programme provides  training for future accountants.  (Editor's note: many students enrolled in Fort Hare's accountancy programme have benefited from the Thuthuka programme).