Simbarashe Kampiripi
In 2022, I hit a wall that many students know all too well. De Vimbiso, to me, means belief.
It is the belief that someone sees potential in you and chooses to stand with you as you grow. It is steady support that does not disappear when things become difficult. It is the reminder that your journey matters and that you are capable of becoming more.
Vimbiso means encouragement and strength. It represents a community that values who you are and who you are becoming. It is about being supported not only in reaching goals, but in developing confidence and resilience along the way.
To me, Vimbiso is not just a scholarship. It is a foundation built on trust, care, and genuine commitment to shaping a better spite the late nights and the academic drive, I reached my final year of university and realized I simply could not afford the fees to finish. At that moment, the dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant felt like it was slipping through my fingers.
Today, I stand on the other side of that mountain.
I am humbled to share that I have officially completed my journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant (Zimbabwe). Not only have I crossed the finish line, but I am incredibly honored to have placed 1st in the Top Ten for both my Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) and my final Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) examinations, additionally receiving the Duff Award.
The Turning Point: Vimbiso
My story would have ended differently if not for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) and the Vimbiso Trust. In 2022, when my path was blocked by financial constraints, Vimbiso stepped in and paid my final university fees. They didn’t just pay a bill; they invested in a dream. They saw potential where I saw a dead end.
That support transformed my mindset. It turned my “pressure to survive” into a “responsibility to excel.”
The Pursuit of Excellence at EY
Throughout this journey, EY has been more than just an employer; they have been my training ground. The environment of professional excellence and the support from my mentors and colleagues provided the foundation I needed to translate theoretical knowledge into the top-tier performance required for the APC.
To my team at EY: thank you for pushing me to be better every single day.
To the Aspiring CA(Z)
If you are a student currently facing financial or personal hurdles, please know this: Your current circumstances are not your conclusion. The road to the CA(Z) designation is notoriously difficult, but it is built on a community that looks out for its own. I am living proof that with the right support system—like Vimbiso and a dedicated firm—and an unrelenting work ethic, you can go from being unable to pay your fees to being the top-ranked candidate in the country.
Looking Ahead
As I register as a CA(Z), I am committed to upholding the highest standards of our profession and, more importantly, finding ways to support the next generation of accountants who might be facing the same walls I once did.
Thank you, ICAZ. Thank you, Vimbiso. Thank you, EY.
The journey is just beginning.
