Esther Fawole
Maud Chifamba who is born in Zimbabwe survived from abject poverty to become chartered accountant at age 24.
Maud lost her father when she was just 5 years old. Her mother was suffering from cancer and she could not take care of her and her younger brother. They fell under the care of their step-brother, in 2003.
In 2005, when she was in grade 3, during the mid-year exams, she was mistakenly given a grade 4 exam paper, on which she scored 100%. The same year, she requested a grade 5 test paper and passed with distinction. She went on to finish grade 7 at the age of 9.
In 2009, Maud did not have money for high school, she studied on her own and completed her Ordinary Level in just two years.
She was later identified by the Ministry of Education and awarded financial assistance for her Advanced Level and she scored 12 points in 2011. She lost her mother the same year.
At age 14, she became the youngest University student in Africa. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSc Honours degree) at age 18 and a Master of Science (MSc) in Accountancy at age 20 from the University of Zimbabwe.
At age 24, Maud Chifamba qualified as a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe and certified as a Public Accountant by the Public Accountants and Auditors Board Zimbabwe.
Maud Chifamba quote that after Grade 7 there was no school for her to go to, the normal thing in her community was getting married. She did not like her mother’s marriage that is one of the things that motivated her to work hard.
Then she attempted to start businesses to change her circumstances. She decided to study accounting, to understand why businesses failed.
Maud Chifamba said becoming a Chartered Accountant showed her so much because It was a combination of school and real-life work experience. She believes that it takes focus and determination to succeed in life which help her achieve so much.
