Rumbidzai Hove-Nyahuye, Financial Planning Manager
Financial Planning Manager
Current Experience:
Manager Financial Planning Analysis & Reporting at MTN · Full-time Oct 2022 - Present · (3 yrs 5 mos)
Past Experience:
Business & Planning Analyst at Sandoz · Full-time Aug 2018 - Sep 2022 · (4 yrs 2 mos)
Financial Reporting Accountant at Novartis · Contract Mar 2018 - Jul 2018 · (5 mos)
Advisory Manager at Malander Advisory · Contract Aug 2017 - Feb 2018 · (7 mos)
Project Accountant at Tsebo Solutions Group · Contract Dec 2016 - May 2017 · (6 mos)
Audit Senior at CHF&Co · Contract Mar 2016 - Nov 2016 · (9 mos)
Articled Clerk at PwC · Contract Jan 2013 - Dec 2015 · (3 yrs)
Financial and Business Accounting Tutor at University of Cape Town · Part-time Jan 2012 - Dec 2012 · (1 yr)
Education:
Master of Commerce in Development Finance
Master of Business Administration
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
BCom Accounting and Finance
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
From dreaming of being a chef, to conquering the MBA grind, to managing group FP&A at a fintech giant, Rumbidzai’s built a career that’s both strategic and deeply human.
She’s not just crunching numbers; she’s driving Africa’s digital financial future.
Juggling global stakeholders, time zones, family, and forecasts? She does it all with Excel in one hand and a toddler’s snack in the other. And somehow still finds time to mentor, support, and recharge through recipes and road trips.
This is a story of visibility, impact, and showing what real leadership looks like behind the spreadsheets.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I usually spend the first hour of my morning taking care of my children and making sure my family is set up for the day.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
I’ve always enjoyed accounting and it consistently stood out as one of my strongest subjects from primary school onwards. In my late teens, I narrowed my career goals down to three paths: becoming a chartered accountant, a chef, or a business owner. Accounting ultimately felt like the right fit.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Securing a role at one of the big audit firms was a major milestone for me, as it had been a goal of mine since high school. Completing my MBA was another defining moment, as it gave me a broader perspective on the role finance professionals play within a business.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I oversee and manage the group’s Financial Planning and Analysis function.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
In my role as Financial Planning and Analysis Manager at MTN Group Fintech, I support the overall business strategy by delivering clear financial insights, forecasts, and analysis that guide informed decision-making. Through performance analysis, budgeting, and identifying growth opportunities, I help ensure resources are allocated effectively and in line with strategic priorities. This work supports profitability, operational efficiency, and the scalable growth of fintech services, contributing to sustainable expansion, financial inclusion, and digital innovation across our markets.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges in my role has been managing deliverables while working with multiple stakeholders across different markets, each with its own dynamics and time zones. Aligning priorities and timelines can be complex, so I addressed this by building strong working relationships, maintaining clear and consistent communication, and putting structured processes in place that accommodate time zone differences. This approach has helped create better alignment, smoother collaboration, and timely delivery of outcomes.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I use a mix of financial planning tools, company ERP systems, and advanced financial models built in Excel to analyse data, track performance, and identify meaningful trends and insights. Alongside the technical tools, I place strong emphasis on clear communication and cross-functional collaboration to ensure financial decisions are aligned with the company’s broader goals and executed effectively.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
During busy periods, I’m mindful that personal time can easily fall away, so I make a conscious effort to reset once things settle. I focus on activities that help me switch off and recharge, spending quality time with my family, experimenting with new recipes, reconnecting with friends, exploring new places, or simply enjoying meaningful moments with loved ones. This helps me regain balance and return to work feeling refreshed and focused.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy activities that help me relax and recharge. Spending quality time with my family keeps me grounded and connected, while trying out new recipes allows me to be creative and unwind. I also love exploring new places, catching up with friends, and taking part in fun group activities. These hobbies bring me joy and help me maintain a healthy work-life balance, so I can return to work feeling refreshed and energized.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I support junior team members by sharing knowledge, offering guidance, and being a dependable resource whenever they need help with their tasks. With senior team members, I contribute by sharing insights and expertise in areas where I have deeper experience, promoting collaboration and mutual learning across the team.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
For anyone looking to work in a finance department, my advice is to focus on collaboration and building strong relationships. Finance interacts with every part of a business, so understanding the needs of the departments you support is essential. By managing stakeholder relationships well and fostering trust, you can better align financial strategies with organizational goals, which makes you a more effective and valuable finance professional.
“One of my favourite quotes is, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others.” This resonates with my deep desire to make a positive impact on those around me. I often find that true fulfillment comes from serving others and ensuring they have what they need.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
A key leadership lesson I’ve learned is the importance of leading by example. Your actions set the standard for your team, and demonstrating integrity, accountability, and a strong work ethic inspires others to do the same. Leadership isn’t just about giving instructions; it’s about guiding and motivating your team through the way you conduct yourself.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
I have a passion for farming and hope to one day own and run my own poultry farm.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
I’d choose the ability to master multitasking, as we work in a fast-paced environment and I often juggle multiple roles simultaneously.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
I’m fortunate to have a supportive home environment that lets me focus on work when needed. During long workdays, I stay productive by organizing my tasks efficiently and keeping myself energized through proper meals and staying well-hydrated.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
The day I received an award for being one of the outstanding employees stands out for me. It was especially meaningful because I hadn’t expected it, working in Finance often feels like being behind the scenes, so being recognised in that way was truly rewarding.
Rumbidzai reminds us: you can be a finance leader and still feel invisible, until the day they hand you an award you never expected.
Because excellence doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it just delivers. Consistently.
Want to lead like Rumbidzai? Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn technical skill into strategic power — and get the recognition you deserve.
Join now. Build the career that gets seen.
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