AGN; How would you describe the work of an auditor in one sentence?

PM; The work of an auditor is to give assurance on the financial information prepared by companies. Contrary to a generally held belief, our work is not limited to just the numbers. We actually get to understand what makes a company tick, we get an inside view of the business’ operations, strategies, IT systems, its environment amongst other things.

AGN; What appeals to you about the work you do?

PM; It would have to be the exposure to the different industries companies operate within. We get to gain insights into the vast industries that are available.

AGN; When did you realize that accounting and finance is the path for you?

PM; This was definitely during high school i enjoyed accounting and mathematics so it was then a clear path for me.

AGN; You obtained your first degree in UK and returned to Zimbabwe soon after. Some people tend to settle in the country they graduated in or at least work there for some time. Why did you not do so?

PM; I am a person who is rooted in my belief as a Christian, and in that I also pray for guidance before making any life changing decisions. My coming back to Zimbabwe was majorly due to feeling that God had plans for me back home. I also felt that I was not yet ready to settle outside of Zimbabwe. There was still more I could get from my home country.

AGN; Having lived abroad what would you say Zimbabwe has as a general characteristic that other places don’t?

PM; I think it’s the general optimism Zimbabweans have. It’s no secret we have experienced tough times but as a country I would say we are filled we optimistic, cheerful and helpful people.

AGN; You moved around quite a bit while you were younger. Is there anything from that experience that taught you a life lesson and if so what is it?

PM; It would have to be adaptability, each city or neighbourhood we relocated to had its own characteristics which I had to adapt to. I also believe that it helped me when I moved alone to a completely new continent during university. I was able to adapt and fit in very quickly.

AGN; As the eldest in your family did you feel any pressure to set a good example or are you of the view each person should find their own path irrespective of what others around them are doing?

PM; As the eldest of 2 I definitely felt pressure to set a good example for my little sister more so when we were in the same boarding school, she was ultimately my responsibility so I had to try and be a good example for her, but I have to say that as we grew up and I began to learn more about my sister and myself It became less of me trying to get her to follow in my footsteps but to allow her to shine as the beautiful individual she is and be an advocate for her.

AGN; In a sentence, how would you describe your character and what you stand for?

PM; I would say with me I am a ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of person. There is no room for fakery with me; I am authentically myself.

AGN; How do you like to relax and spend your free time?

PM; I like spending “alone time” either enjoying a good book, food, shows, or spending my quiet time with GOD.

AGN; Is family important to you and if so why?

PM; Family is very important to me, my foundation is rooted in my family, they are the reason I am where I am today, and who I am today. My parents have always been very supportive of my goals and ambitions, they gave me an opportunity that not many get. My sister has always been my sounding board. They are my safe place always.

AGN; What was life like for you growing up in Kwekwe?

PM; My growing up in Kwekwe was a mixed bag. I enjoyed making friends, the memories I shared with those friends and even school. However, my time in Kwekwe was in boarding school so I spent quite some time missing home.

AGN; What is the one character trait you value most in people and why?

PM; Honesty. I respect honesty in people. We live in a world that celebrates fabricated truths and I feel that people are becoming less honest with each other and themselves in order to try and fit the mould that is expected of them.

AGN; Who is the person that has most inspired you and what is it about them that has done so?

PM; I would have to say without a doubt my mother. She is such a wonderful human being; she has always shown kindness, patience with every person and has constantly been very supportive in my life.

AGN; What would your alternative career path have been instead of accounting and finance?

PM; This will probably sound so weird because it’s so different from what I am doing but I would have been a veterinarian.

AGN; Things are still fairly tough for the majority in Africa. Is there any one thing you would like to see people across the continent (not just in Zimbabwe) doing on an individual basis in order to help turn things around for the greater good?

PM; I think Africans in general are hard workers; we are fighters and are a resilient people. On an individual basis it would be difficult for me to say because in Zimbabwe I see people working hard using whatever skillset they have to try and make ends meet. Unfortunately the issue is greater than any individual and I am sure this is the same throughout the continent.

AGN; Is there a common misconception you feel people have about Zimbabweans?

PM;  This is probably very silly, but the one thing I constantly came across when I was in the UK or Australia was the way people were shocked about how well we speak English. I would like to clear this up. In Zimbabwe our educational system is in English so we do learn English from a very young age alongside our mother languages.

AGN; The Zimbabwean economy is facing some severe headwinds. What would you say is a key factor to address this?

PM; I feel we could do much more to utilize our internal capacity to produce a wider range of goods and services than we currently do. Restructuring the economy so we focus on the things we can do really well without the need or minimal requirement for inputs from outside the country would serve the country better.

AGN; Is there anything you would like to add?

PM; I have to highlight that God and being Christian is a big part of where I am at and who I am.