Rudorwashe Mpofu, Former Treasurer of the Unisa Tshwane Student Representative Council and a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences graduate

Completing a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences degree is an inspiring milestone for Rudorwashe Mpofu, a former Treasurer of the Unisa Tshwane Student Representative Council (SRC), who served between 2018 and 2020. This qualification gave her intellectual growth to gain economic knowledge that will contribute to society in accounting, auditing and income tax. "It exposed me to many industries, and I have a better understanding of finances now."

During Covid-19, Mpofu says she experienced obstacles due to transitioning from venue-based exams to online exams. "It was not easy." She adds: "It came with a lot of stress and no security in trusting the online system." However, the lectures and staff members from the College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) were helpful in her journey. "They were always available for any kind of help."

Mpofu, who was the Chairperson of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA), advocates for black excellence. She believes that young Africans should be inspired to be innovative, excellent and dynamic. She has also been part of the Economic Freedom Fighters Students Command (EFFSC), Accounting Sciences Students Association (ASSA), African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA), Unisa's Tshwane Sports Committee, International Youth Fellowship (IYF), YouLead Africa and United Nations Youth. She says these organisations helped her to grow as a student leader.

Born in Gokwe Centre, in the Midlands province based in Zimbabwe, Mpofu is a triplet. Her childhood's fondest memories groomed her to be the person she is today. "We were raised in a community that prioritised education more than anything in life," explains Mpofu. She was an active child who played sports and became part of the choir, drama, public speaking and chess clubs.

She attended Mpumelelo Primary school. She then continued with her secondary O' level studies at Mkoba 3 School and A' level studies at Mkoba 1 High School. The school developed her passion for learning, personal development, empowerment and networking. Hence as a student leader, she always believed in serving and leaving a positive mark at the university.

Rumbidzaishe, Rudorwashe and Ruvarashe Mpofu

The other thing that keeps this young African alive is activism. As a vibrant and well-spoken woman, Mpofu uses her voice to advocate for gender-based violence campaigns to initiate change, revolutionise and innovate.  She subscribes to the belief that women must engage in politics mainly because they are one of the most marginalised and oppressed groups. "It is essential to entrench our voices in all spaces," she says. Her other interests are in anti-Afrophobia and xenophobia philanthropy. She is optimistic about a transformed society.

Mpofu's politics have always been influenced by how she views society. She believes that the youth should remain the crucial pillar of a country's socio-economic and political development. Realising young people's enormous role in society, she believes in helping and impacting communities, especially the less privileged, to make them feel part of society. With her passion for serving humanity and giving back to society, she volunteers for many non-profit organisations and youth groups.

Choosing Unisa as her preferred university emanates from wanting the real-world experience of distance learning. She says education without classrooms astonished her. Mpofu had an opportunity to also acquire higher degree certificates in the College of Economic and Management Sciences. She is grateful for the opportunities presented to her and the challenges she faced as they contributed to who she is today.

She admits that her journey with Unisa has been an inspiring one. In addition, she states that being a student leader was an excellent learning opportunity. According to Mpofu, juggling school and leadership roles simultaneously were complex. She remembers the stress, tears and sleepless nights to do tasks, exams and the responsibilities of being a student and a leader as complex. "But here I am wearing the best outfit l have ever dreamed of," says Mpofu referring to her academic gown.

She is working towards being a Charted Accountant and is currently enrolled for a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Accounting Sciences (CTA) and busy with her articles. She advises fellow students: "Keep going; dropping out is not an option; it will all be worth it in the end."  

* Packaged by Lesego Chiloane Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement