From Rural Zimbabwe to Global Impact

Victor Tavengwa Chaitezvi was born in rural Zimbabwe, the third child in a family of five. He grew up in a small town called Kadoma, where he was introduced to cricket at Lady Tait Primary School in 1999. His talent earned him a scholarship to attend Prince Edward School in Harare, one of the top schools in Zimbabwe. During high school, Victor played cricket for Zimbabwe at various age levels, including U14, U16, U17, and captained the U19 team. He also excelled in field and indoor hockey, representing Zimbabwe Schools. In 2006, Victor was awarded the prestigious Honours Award in All-Round Excellence, a rare achievement in Zimbabwe, recognizing his excellence in sports and cultural activities.

Overcoming Adversity

In 2005, Victor’s mother suffered a stroke that affected the right side of her body. This event was particularly challenging for the family, exacerbated by Zimbabwe’s deteriorating economic and political situation, which limited access to adequate healthcare. After high school, Victor faced financial difficulties that prevented him from pursuing a university education. He took a gap year in 2007, during which he coached cricket at a primary school and worked for free at an architectural company to learn the field. Within four months, he had learned to design houses and began his first entrepreneurial venture, designing homes in Zimbabwe.

A New Opportunity

While in his gap year, Victor met Tinashe Ruswa, an LBW-SS4LS scholarship holder, who encouraged him to apply for a cricket scholarship at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town. Victor successfully secured the scholarship and began his BCom degree in 2008. Despite starting two weeks late due to financial constraints, he was determined to make the most of this opportunity. Supported by SS4LS and The LBW Trust, Victor focused on his studies, cricket and entrepreneurial ventures, receiving critical assistance with tuition, accommodation and other necessities.

Academic and Personal Growth

While studying at UWC, Victor worked at the university’s engineering and architectural division, gaining valuable work experience. In 2010, Victor’s hard work paid off as he won several awards, including Student of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Leader of the Year at UWC. He was also selected as one of the 100 Brightest Young Minds in Africa and was chosen for the 2010 Business Leading CEO Council, where he was mentored by top CEOs in South Africa.

The Road to Success

In 2010, Victor was awarded the prestigious Mandela Rhodes Scholarship to pursue an Honours degree. However, he opted to pursue a master’s degree in the United States instead, despite having to self-fund most of his studies. With support from Mike Coward, Victor graduated with 11 out of 12 distinctions from his Master’s in Entrepreneurship in 2011. Immediately after graduation, he was offered a key role at Microsoft South Africa, where he began his corporate career.

Giving Back and Empowering Others

With support from SS4LS and The LBW Trust, Victor has been able to support his family and over 60 relatives. He has ensured that his siblings receive a good education and provides monthly support for his mother’s medical care.

Continuing the Legacy

Victor’s success has enabled him to build a strong foundation for his future. He purchased a house in Johannesburg, married Monique, a South African resident, in 2016, and continues to inspire others. Motivated by the support he received, Victor has launched a program to support SS4LS women’s cricket players, aiming to raise R500,000 in 2019 and R2 million per year by 2021 to support disadvantaged students. He believes in the potential of women in Africa and is committed to helping them achieve their goals.

Future Goals

Victor is now running his own business, supporting small businesses in South Africa, and plans to raise a R100 million fund to empower SMEs across Africa. He also aims to create a fund for beneficiaries of programs like SS4LS and LBW Trust to provide them with financial investments after they exit the programs. Additionally, Victor and Nick are planning to establish a society for financial education to equip beneficiaries with the necessary skills for success.

A Vision for Partnership

Victor remains dedicated to making a positive impact and seeks ways to partner with LBW Trust and SS4LS to continue the life-changing work that has supported him and countless others. His journey from rural Zimbabwe to a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist is a testament to the power of belief, opportunity and giving back.