PHILLIMON MHLANGA IN VICTORIA FALLS
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) has elected Davison Charamba, the finance director of Botswana based IT company RPC Data, its new president.
He made history by becoming the first Diaspora member to lead Zimbabwe’s oldest and largest professional accountancy organization. He was unveiled on Saturday at the ICAZ Winter School in Victoria Falls.
Charamba, who was the ICAZ’s senior vice president for the past year, takes over from Delta Corporation group treasurer, Tumai Mafunga, who stepped down after completing his tenure.
A holder of a Master in Business Administration (Finance) degree from the University of Plymouth, United Kingdom (UK), Bachelor of Accounting Science (Honours), degree from the University of South Africa, and a Bachelor of Accountancy (Honours) degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a Fellow Chartered Accountant (Zimbabwe and Botswana) , Charamba participated in the delisting and management buyout of RPC Data Limited.
RPC Data is an Oracle Gold Partner and a SAP partner focusing on software sales, development and support. It has implemented projects in six African countries; Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi. It has an offshore development centre in India.
Prior to that, Charamba co-founded Addmath, a boutique Gaborone based financial advisory firm, which focuses on micro to small enterprises and aims to empower them in financial literacy and reporting.
Charamba was also founding director of Money Experts, a firm established to raise and deploy capital by Chartered Accountants (Zimbabwe) based in Botswana. The vision was to stimulate entrepreneurship by chartered accountants in a practical way.
Manyara Chigunduru, the founder and managing partner of Marianhill Chartered Accountants Zimbabwe, was elected senior vice president while Brice Musendo, a director at UK based private bank, Brown Shipley is now the new junior vice president.
Musenda trained with PWC.
Charamba is confident of taking ICAZ forward.
“This moment is more special because it’s the first for the Diasporans to do that.
I know that being first is not always being the best. But I also believe it sets the tone for what you are being first for.
This moment, nevertheless, demonstrates the agility of the Institute. We have always been at the forefront of navigating new challenges and trends. And let me say the Diaspora vote has a place at ICAZ, a real vote,” Charamba said.
He added: “And I am also alive to the fact that this is a timely shift in the evolution for the institute as old as the ours (ICAZ).
But, in saying that I am also aware that I am playing my part in moving the marker forward.
“I commit myself today to do my best to move that marker forward. I have had the privilege to have participated in the development of the current three-year strategy for ICAZ as a member of the presidium in 2021.
“Coincidentally, it was formulated in my first term in the presidium, and it will be ending in 2023, which will be my last year in the presidium.
“So, I have the privilege to see it through, to finish off what my predecessors have started. I fully subscribe, and I am aware of the six pillars on which it stands, which is people, positioning, partnerships, processes, members, and funding.
“I know that there is always little time and so much to do. So, I pray that I will hit the ground running. To achieve the objectives of that three-year strategy, in the next three to 12 months, I would have formulated a three-pronged approach on three special items which are on dialogue, ownership and legacy building.”
Charamba paid tribute to the immediate past president Tumai Mafunga, ICAZ Council and Secretariat members, and his wife.
“Let me start by thanking my predecessor (Tumai Mfunga) for having steered the ship over the last 12 months, which was a very difficult period due to Covid-19 pandemic.
We should thank you for leading from the front and for your support, guidance, and wisdom,” Charamba said.
He added: “I also want to acknowledge the impact that I got from my colleagues from the Secretariat, council members and special desk from the Diaspora section.
“ As they say it takes a village to raise a child, I am that child from the village . I hope this is a proud moment for the village.
I also want to thank my wife, who is in attendance tonight, for being a pillar of support over the years.
Mostly, I dedicate this presidency to my mother. She saw the potential and nurtured me.
It is my privilege and honour to stand before you today as your president.”
In his valedictory speech, Tumai Mafunga said chartered accountants should remain impactful.
“What is critical is to recognize and elevate ourselves. I think we have been impacting in each and every sphere as chartered accountants.
And it takes courage and personality to have that impact,” Mafunga said.
He added: “The past year could not have been possible without the teams that we have been working with.
“I want to give due recognition to members of the Council, the CEO (William Mandisodza), as well as the past CEO (Gloria Zvaravanhu) because they have always been committed to the cause.
“And that has been driving the robust conversations I have seen to develop some of the strategies that have kept us where we are today.
“When the (future) president, Davison (Charamba) says listen, then you know you are going into some deep debate and conversations. To Davison (Charamba), working with you for the past three years has been amazing.
“I am confident that the institute will be in safe hands. I know you now have a president who is based outside the country. But I have no doubt that your commitment, your dedication and wisdom will take the institute forward.”
Mafunga challenged the women-chartered accountants.
“I have a special challenge to women-chartered accountants. We want to see you rise at the table and put your voice to your head and don’t be apologetic about it.
At the end of the day, the combination of both men and women-chartered accountants will be transformative for the future that we want to see at ICAZ,” he said.
Mafunga said the operating environment was difficult.
“The environment we are operating in today, is also a very difficult one. We have challenges along the way such as exchange rate, laws or sections that require us to comply resulting in us incurring losses. To you all accountants gathered here, you are unsung heroes, because for you to be able to continue operating under this environment, it’s commendable.
My year will not have been successful without the support of my children and my wife Chipo.
To ICAZ members, thank you for the opportunity allowing me to lead you and your support. Thank you also for your advice.”
