My 22-year career has been hugely rewarding so far. I started out in audit in 2002 with KPMG in Zambia’s second largest city, Kitwe, where I grew up. While at KPMG, I took on various roles and later headed risk and compliance, quality assurance and training before taking my first job in the corporate sector with Reliant Mining and Construction, as its first accountant and only its second female employee. Having moved to the capital Lusaka, I then held various positions in the financial services and logistics sectors, before rejoining Reliant Mining and Construction, in 2020 as head of finance.
Returning to work in Kitwe was a big step out of my comfort zone. The city is located in the heart of the copper belt, 400km away from my family home in Lusaka. As Zambia has no high-speed rail network, my bi-monthly, sometimes weekly, commute involves much driving, often at inconvenient hours.
I am proud that I am an executive director in mining services, a sector that is very male dominated
As a woman I am proud to be an executive director in mining services, a sector that is very male dominated. What I enjoy about my job is how each operation is not the same as the story told by the numbers. Each has different mining equipment, mine designs and conditions to take into account – a fixed asset verification is not a quick exercise when it comes to mining equipment!
The mining industry is the backbone of the Zambian economy, but it faces challenges. Historically, Zambia has focused on copper mining, but production of the ‘red metal’ has fallen behind competitor countries. There has been an honest effort to strike a balance between the taxman and the taxpayer, with adjustments in tax legislation including VAT and mineral royalty regulations. Mining contractors do not enjoy all the tax advantages of the mining houses as they don’t hold mining rights, which adds to the cost of contractors’ operations.
Climate change is also a challenge for the mining value chain. With parts of it heavily dependent on a consistent power supply, longer dry seasons such as the country has seen in recent years pose a threat in a country that depends on hydro to generate much of its electricity. That said, the transition to green technology has created opportunities in the mining of critical minerals needed for greener energy. With new explorations deploying hi-tech methods, Zambia has seen new mines opening.
However, being a politically stable and peaceful nation is a great strength. With our national motto, One Zambia, One Nation, we put our money where our mouth is and stand together.
As a first-year student, I considered switching degrees to secretly pursue architecture
I completed my accountancy degree from the Copperbelt University’s School of Business in 2001 and then registered with ACCA. I always enjoyed receiving the Student Accountant magazine and went on to achieve the highest score for Zambia in one of the papers. Having qualified in 2007, I am now a fellow of both ACCA and of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of the Institute of Directors.
In work as in life, I believe that preparation is key to success. During exam time my eighth-grade class teacher used to urge us to study with the mantra, ‘It’s the little daily dose that does it’. It stuck with me, and I find its message can be applied effectively to almost anything.
If I had law-making powers, I would require that sports amenities once set up remain in place for future generations to enjoy. Too often, a change of ownership brings with it a change of use, which deprives the community not only of the amenities themselves, but also jobs and constructive activity for young people.
If I wasn’t in finance, I would have liked to be an architect. As a first-year student, I considered switching degrees to secretly pursue architecture, but abandoned the plan. I don’t regret it as accounting has been good for me.
In my spare time I like to keep busy. Art, photography, crafting and recreating recipes are just some of my interests. I also volunteer with the parents’ support group at my children’s secondary school as its treasurer, and I am an active member of my own secondary school alumni community.
