Ziyanda Nqavashe - then and now
Completing your studies soon? What’s next? Get a job. Qualify as a CA.
Which firm do you join?
Ziyanda Nqavashe graduated from the University of Cape Town with her PGDA in 2019 and is now serving her articles at PwC.
Read about Ziyanda and how she transitioned from university student to a PwC professional.
What was your favourite subject in varsity?
Tax
Did you participate in any extracurricular activities?
Yes, I was a mentor in the Commerce Senior Mentorship Programme whereby postgrad students offer mentorship to students in their final year of their Commerce undergraduate studies.
I also participated in Res4Res, this is a competition between UCT residences where a topic and or theme is chosen and each residence has to produce a play which is normally performed at the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch.
I was also a member of SHAWCO, a community outreach programme. In particular, I was part of the group that made weekly visits to early childhood development centres in Khayelitsha. We'd spend time with the kids, read to them, play some games, etc.
When did you apply for your PwC training contract?
I applied in my second year after attending a few career fairs and vacation work programmes offered by the firm. Every interaction I had with someone at the firm was meaningful and left a lasting effect on me.
Aisha Nakidien (Graduate Recruiter) also played a fundamental role in my choice of location. She went above and beyond to assist me in choosing between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Her involvement gave me a glimpse into how much PwC values its staff.
Which year did you begin your articles?
I’m still an articles baby as I only joined the Cape Town office this year. I set my sights on being in Financial Services and that’s where I was placed, as well as Risk Assurance. I really enjoy being in the Cape Town office because the beach is right around the corner, the people are warm, welcoming and always eager to help.
What do you love most about working for PwC?
Without a doubt, it's the people and the culture that do it for me. Everyone is so engaging and happy to provide coaching. Team members have a genuine interest in your life not only at work, but also outside of that space. It's also very easy to have discussions with senior managers and partners, who always have an open-door policy.
Did you feel prepared for the world of work when you began your training?
I did not have any expectations when I first started at PwC. But I was assured that I would be well equipped. We started off with a two-week training session that introduced us to PwC’s core value system and our audit methodology. I also just recently completed my mid-year training on audit execution. But with all of this amazing training that we’re offered, I’ve still found that most of my learning and development has come from on-the-job experience. My experiences with working alongside senior associates and my buddy have been unparalleled.
How are you upskilling yourself for the digital world?
PwC has offered some great digital training to all of its staff. I’ve recently completed training for Power BI, Alteryx and UiPath and I’m quite excited to see how I can enhance my work experience with these platforms.
No matter which office you sign with, at PwC you’re afforded many opportunities to create and learn. With PwC you can train at any office around the country. From Joburg to Mafikeng, from Cape Town to Bloemfontein, and anywhere in between, you get access to world-class training, while working with others to create an impact. Explore our roles and apply, join us let’s create together!