by Nhlawulo Vision Chauke
Tshifiwa Thavhanyendza, a young and ambitious internal auditor, has made a significant impact in the field of internal auditing. Recently, the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA) awarded Thavhanyedza the Young Internal Auditor of the Year, a testament to his hard work and dedication.
“This award shows that I'm heading in the right direction in the field of internal audit and it's a great boost to my career and lines me up for future employment opportunities.”
Thavhanyendza's journey in internal auditing began at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), where he studied National Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Postgraduate Diploma in Internal Auditing.
After completing his studies, he underwent a traineeship in internal auditing at the Railway Safety Regulator and later moved to PRASA, where he currently works as a Junior Internal Auditor.
Throughout his journey, Thavhanyendza has been actively involved with IIA SA volunteering at the university level, and later joining the Regional Committee. This involvement has provided him with valuable insights and helped him prepare for new challenges in the field.
Thavhanyendza credited TUT for the contribution it made towards his success in internal auditing.
"I had lectures who guided me and a mentor who showed me the way."
Young Internal Auditor of the Year, Tshifiwa Thavhanyendza.
Thavhanyendza advises aspiring internal auditors to identify their passion and interests within the field and work towards achieving their goals. He also emphasizes the importance of having a mentor to guide them.
To stay current with industry developments, Thavhanyendza attends webinars, trainings, and conferences offered by IIA SA and ISACA SA.
He is also working on establishing the IIA SA student mentorship program and Student Body for South African universities and universities of technology.
The field of internal auditing is evolving rapidly, with new technologies emerging to enhance audit processes. Thavhanyendza recognizes the importance of staying ahead of the curve and is working towards becoming an internal audit specialist in ICT, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI).
"My goal is to complete my Masters and PhD researching AI and internal audit functions," Thavhanyendza said. "I want to be the auditor of the future who is well-knowledge about new technologies like AI, Internet of Things, and Cloud Computing."
