In the bustling world of business, countless success stories have unfolded throughout the years. Every empire has a starting point and every exceptional venture owes its inception to a dedicated individual who took that defining step. Join us as we embark on a captivating journey through time – a story of persistence and the birth of the first employee of Ruwa Local Board, Ms. Molly Chikwangwadze.
Affectionately known in the Ruwa Local Board corridors as “Employee Number 1,” Ms Chikwangwadze was recruited for Ruwa Local Board by the Ministry of Local Governance and Public Works as an Accounts Clerk. She joined the Council on the 27th of August 1991.
As the Council’s first-ever employee, Ms Chikwangwadze faced numerous challenges. The workload was immense as she had to manage multiple tasks simultaneously to an extent that she would regularly carry some work home to meet deadlines. She was tasked with setting up the Council’s financial systems from scratch and was responsible for accounting tasks such as receipting, banking, reconciliations and reporting.
In addition to her accounting duties, Ms Chikwangwadze also had to navigate the expectations and demands of the council members. They relied on her expertise to guide their financial decisions and Ms Chikwangwadze made it a point to communicate clearly and transparently. She presented reports, explained financial concepts and provided insight to help council members make informed choices.
In her quest for excellence, Ms Chikwangwadze who was a Diploma in Accounting holder, realized the need to enhance her education and went on to study for a Higher National Diploma in Accounting, Chartered Institute of Secretaries up to part B (CIS part B) and Southern Africa Association of Accountants Certification . In 1997 she was promoted to Accountant, a position she holds to date.
Ms Chikwangwadze attributes her rise and resilience to focusing on the job at hand and ignoring any peripheral activities in the workplace.
“I have made it this far because of honesty and paying attention to detail. My biggest rule of thumb is to only focus on my work, involving yourself in other things in the workplace can only distract you,” she said.
“Employee Number 1” advises young accountants to always be mindful that Council is a public institution, therefore, there is need to be honest and transparent in their work.
“Impeccable accounting practices are to be followed when handling public funds, there is no room for teeming and lading. We are accountable to our ratepayers and they need the confidence that the funds are administered with integrity at all times,” Ms Chikwangwadze added.
Clocking 32 years of service in Council this year, Ms Chikwangwadze’s perseverance has become an inspiration to others in the Council. She has proven that even in a seemingly ordinary role like an Accounts Clerk, one should always remember that they contribute to the bigger picture and should work diligently. Ms Chikwangwadze remains a vital and trusted part of Ruwa Local Board’s financial operations, doing her part to contribute to the town’s vision of becoming a town of excellence by 2030.