Tshimangadzo Tshifhiwa Lusunzi, Accountant
Accountant
Current Experience:
Accountant at Ivanplats Holding Company Pty Ltd · Full-time Sep 2019 - Present · (6 yrs 6 mos)
Past Experience:
Accounts Payable Analyst AxizWorkgroup · Full-time May 2016 - Aug 2019 · (3 yrs 4 mos)
Accounts Payable Controller at Daymon Worldwide Oct 2014 - Aug 2016 · (1 yr 11 mos)
Junior Payroll Controller at Daymon Worldwide May 2013 - Sep 2014 · (1 yr 5 mos)
Education:
Associate’s degree, BCom Accounting
Diploma Accounting and Computar Science
CIMA Qualification
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
From Compliance to Courage: Meet Tshimangadzo Lusunzi
She starts her mornings at 5am, in meditation and prayer, and tackles the finance challenges of a mine by sunrise.
But Tshimangadzo isn’t just crunching numbers. She’s reshaping policy, mentoring young finance talent, and holding the line on compliance in one of the country’s most demanding industries. When she was elected Chairperson of Women in Mining, she didn’t just take the title, she rewrote the rules, literally. Her career is proof that faith, structure, and strategy can co-exist — and thrive, even in the toughest environments.
If you’re leading a small team, juggling compliance headaches, and still trying to build something bigger than yourself, this story is for you.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
05:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I start my mornings with meditation and prayer to ground myself and set a calm, focused tone for the day ahead.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest in accounting and finance was sparked by the problem-solving nature of the work and the continuous opportunities to learn and grow within the field.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
Two defining milestones in my career have been being elected as Chairperson of Women in Mining at my current employer, and leading the development and implementation of the mine’s first formal policies and procedures document.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
My role involves analyzing financial data, preparing forecasts, and supporting management with informed decision-making based on financial performance. I am also responsible for financial reporting and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute by developing and managing budgets and forecasts to keep the business aligned with its financial goals. I also focus on cost control by identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary spend. In addition, I ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with regulations, which supports transparency and builds trust with stakeholders.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was navigating significant organizational change while developing a young and inexperienced finance team.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
I focus on continuous learning by completing short courses on effective leadership and applying those principles while training and supporting the team I work with.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I stay balanced by prioritizing and organizing my workload, delegating where possible, and setting realistic expectations.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends, and traveling.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I actively mentor team members by walking them through processes, coaching them step by step, and providing regular feedback.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Beyond earning a formal degree, I would emphasize the importance of self-development and continuous learning as the mine is forever changing and progressing
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career.
A valuable leadership lesson I’ve learned is that without a clear vision, teams can lose direction. I make it a point to always communicate our vision and mission, so everyone understands where we’re headed and why their work matters.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio? A hobby, interest, or fun fact?
A fun fact about me that isn’t in my professional bio is that I’m quite adventurous, I’ve even bungee jumped off the highest bridge in the world.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? Predicting financial trends? Master multitasking?
Since finance is so deadline-driven, the superpower I’d choose is the ability to manipulate time, perfect for staying ahead of tight schedules and managing multiple priorities.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays is time blocking and prioritizing tasks to stay focused and organized.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
I would relive the day I was promoted to my current role and elected Chairperson of Women in Mining at Ivanplats.
What can we learn from Tshimangadzo?
Lead with vision, even in chaos
Invest in your team, even if they’re green
Prioritise purpose, not just profit
Her advice to young finance professionals? “Continuous learning is your insurance policy. And leadership isn’t a title, it’s showing up for others.”
Want to turn your day job into a leadership platform like Tshimangadzo?
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to lead with confidence, charge what you’re worth, and turn your experience into impact.
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