5 minute read
Ratidzo Murwisi, compliance manager
BAR BRILLIANCE
IN BOTSWANA
Ratidzo Murwisi, 32, or Ratie as she likes to be called, is an inspiring young woman with a keen business brain and a passion for enabling others to be successful.
Originally from Zimbabwe, but currently living in Gaborone, Botswana, she’s a compliance manager for a financial services company in Botswana called Olympia Factors Commerciale.
Uni days
“I chose to study at the University of Wolverhampton firstly because it was one of only a few universities (the other being Oxbridge) offering the specialist degree which I wanted to study.
“The second reason was I was I was keen to learn from Chris Turner, who is co-author of the Unlocking Law series we used throughout our degree. He turned out to be one of my first year lecturers as well as my tutorial advisor. I learned a great deal from him.
“Being at the university also allowed me to explore a different side of my basketball career. I was the only African on the university women’s basketball team which led to a BIG cultural exchange with my teammates who have become lifelong friends. I learned to treat my body very differently, especially because our coach was also a nutritionist who taught us how to care for our bodies in a wholesome way.”
Post-graduation journey
“Since graduating, I’ve travelled quite a lot. I moved to Manchester in September 2011 to start the LPC at Manchester Metropolitan University. I worked pro bono at a law firm called Gateleys, which gave me an idea of what working life would be and also further solidified my desire NOT to be a litigator!
“After my LPC, (in 2014) I secured an internship at a Pan-African Bank in Cairo, Egypt called Afreximbank in the corporate finance and advisory department. It turned into a year-long, full-time job and is where I discovered my interest in the world of financial services.
“I had always known that I wasn’t a “vanilla” type lawyer. Advisory allowed me to use my financial acumen as well as my love for law in an effective way. I also got to rub shoulders with some very brilliant minds. I was one of the few employees under 30 in the bank during my time there who wasn’t an intern.” Ratie’s basketball team in Zimbabwe
Home turf
“In 2015 I returned to Zimbabwe to pursue my bar exams and registration. I was doing these part-time whilst gaining experience in the Southern African legal system. In Southern Africa they use the Roman-Dutch legal system as compared to the English Common law system that is used in the UK. I had to get training in litigation (much to my dismay), but I was happy to know I had not made a rash decision in deciding not to go into litigation.
“I worked at a Zimbabwean firm for two years before moving to DLA Piper Zimbabwe (Manokore Attorneys). This is where I thrived in corporate practice and advisory. I gained so much technical experience from my time there which I believe will be useful to me in the future.”
Giving back
“I am a strong believer in volunteer work – it builds character and if you are willing to do something for free, and you do it well, the compensation will certainly follow. I do most of my volunteer work with my passions. I currently mentor young entrepreneurs and assist them with strategic planning of their businesses.
“Whilst in Zimbabwe I worked with a non-profit organisation call iBelieve Sports. It focuses on helping high school kids get scholarships in the USA through sport (mainly basketball, tennis and rugby). We had a partnership with the NBA called the Luc Mbah a Moute Foundation (named after the Cameroonian professional basketball player). He runs skills camps worldwide and helps kids get into the NBA Academy and various university sports programmes.
“This led to me working with the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe as their legal advisor and social media manager. I have a YouTube channel and I helped the union do the same for their various media channels. I am now on the Federation of International Basketball (FIBA) Zone 6 media team.”
Using her influence
“Part of my volunteering includes being an influencer for the Tony Elumelu Foundation (a non-profit organization). It runs a programme funding 1,000 entrepreneurs and their ideas. They get training to get their startups off the ground and become prepared for Series A funding or pitching for international investors. As an influencer, I give information on my various platforms (Instagram/ Whatsapp/ LinkedIn) about the foundation and any initiatives they are running.
“A great mix of things have influenced my own career. For example, meeting Tony Elumelu in 2015 whilst I was at Afeximbank, or Vusi Thembekwayo (the South African venture capitalist, global business speaker and entrepreneur) in 2019 at an event. Africa has so much potential and I believe only us Africans can change it in the most effective way. I would like to be involved with people and organisations that are changemakers.”
University basketball team
Pandemic and beyond
“The pandemic has greatly affected the business as our main business function is factoring, which largely depends on exports. With borders opening and closing so frequently, it’s been very hard for most of our clients to make money. However looking to the future, I want to build my consulting (advisory) practice. I’d like to work largely with startups and help them build and grow their startups efficiently and strategically. I believe Africa has such potential and we can do great things.”
Parting words of wisdom
“If I were to give advice, I’d say: with everything that you do BE INTENTIONAL! Life is about choices, but informed choices. Research as much as possible about whatever institute/ country/business you want to work in. Use LinkedIn – it’s such a powerful and useful tool with access to more info. If you can, do as many internships as possible so that you know what you do and don’t enjoy, as the idea of something can vary hugely to the actual doing of the job.”
At the investiture of new Afreximbank president in Cairo