My name is Lloyd Matendawafa, and this is my journey from a small-town dreamer to a qualified chartered accountant. Growing up in Nyanga, I attended local schools for my kindergarten, primary, and secondary education. Like many, I had big dreams, but my financial circumstances often made them seem far-fetched. The dream of becoming a chartered accountant felt particularly out of reach, but I held on to it despite the seemingly hopeless situation. After high school, I enrolled at Dzivarasekwa 2 High School, and later, I pursued a Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc) degree at the University of Zimbabwe. It was during my time at the university that I first learned about the Chartered Accountancy (CA) route through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ). A friend of mine, Sam Nyaunga, introduced me to this path, and after researching further, I realized that this was the career I wanted to pursue.
I was fortunate enough to secure an internship with a team of chartered accountants at PKF Chartered Accountants, which solidified my knowledge and passion for the CA profession. However, after completing my degree at UZ, I faced a significant obstacle: my family couldn’t afford the full-time Certificate of Theory in Accounting (CTA) program required to qualify as a CA. It was then that I heard about the CAA bursary. My friend, Raymond Mukosi, informed me after attending a CAA dinner where Anesu Daka, the CEO of CAA, discussed the bursary program. This bursary, offered as part of CAA’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, was designed to support academically gifted students who couldn’t afford the CTA program but had the potential to make a significant impact in their communities. With Raymond’s help, I applied for the bursary and was fortunate to receive it.
The CAA bursary was a turning point in my life. It allowed me to enroll in the CTA program, which I passed with flying colors, even making it into the national top 10. The bursary not only provided financial relief but also gave me the confidence and tools to excel in my career. Upon completing my studies, I secured an article placement at Deloitte, where I qualified as a chartered accountant in January 2023. Shortly afterward, I was admitted as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ). One of the most exciting opportunities that followed was being seconded to Deloitte Chicago, the second-largest Deloitte office in the world, with over 5,000 professionals. From October 2022 to April 2023, I worked as an Audit Senior in Chicago, where I had the chance to audit major clients listed on the New York Stock Exchange. This experience broadened my professional horizons, and upon returning, I was promoted to Audit Manager at Deloitte.
Today, I am proud to serve as the Head of Finance for a major conglomerate in Zimbabwe. The CAA bursary was instrumental in shaping my career. It opened doors that might otherwise have remained closed and gave me the opportunity to achieve my dreams. The title of Chartered Accountant has positioned me as a sought-after professional in the industry, and I am grateful for the support that made this possible. The CAA bursary did more than just fund my education—it gave me hope, purpose, and a platform to succeed.