Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
MS Tayesa Banda (39), the head of Ecobank Branch Network SME Banking is graduating with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the end of the year, but hers has not been an easy road to the top.
Ms Banda took a somewhat winding journey to get to this point in her career.
The former Mpopoma High School and Townsend Girls High School student did not set out to blaze to the apex of banking using higher education, but hard work. If there is a person who started from the bottom, it is her.
“For me I came from humble beginnings as I went to Mpopoma High school and later on went to Townsend Girls high school for my advanced level.
“Fortunately, back in the days you were able to get employed using your ‘A’ level certificate and that’s when I got a job at FBC bank in 2003,” said Ms Banda.
She was 19 years old when she joined FBC. Ambition saw the girl ,who was now the relationship officer/senior bank teller, quit in 2006 to pursue a degree in South Africa.
“By the time I left my job at FBC bank I had risen up the ranks and I was the relationship officer or senior teller. I went to Monash University in South Africa and my sister was paying my fees and I also had some servings, which I was also using to cater for that.
Unfortunately issues of funds then happened and it was a very difficult time for me as I didn’t know what to do. I ended up working there (in South Africa) for a call centre for about six months in 2009,” she said.
She didn’t stay long at the call centre as the itch to go back to banking haunted her every day until she gave in and came back home later in 2009. She used the experience she had acquired at FBC to land a job at Stanbic Bank as a teller.
Before long she was promoted to chief teller. When BancABC set up shop in Bulawayo in 2011, Ms Banda, who was always looking for a new challenge and opportunity to grow, jumped ship.
“When BancABC came, I thought to myself that this is an opportunity to grow because when it comes to relationship officer duties, I have done that previously. So, I applied for the position and I got that job,” said Ms Banda.
“I was very instrumental at BancABC and I was given an opportunity to facilitate the opening of its new branches including Kwekwe and Redcliff branches.”
In 2013, Ecobank came calling and the then BancABC branch supervisor answered. She was made the branch manager without a tertiary qualification. Realising that she would need a degree to continue her unexpected rise up the banking ladder, Ms Banda enrolled at the Midlands State University. She studied Business Management, specialising in finance.
Ecobank has literally taken her to places – she was once stationed in Kwekwe before she moved to Mutare. She then returned to Bulawayo where she is currently stationed as the Ecobank Head Branch Network SME Banking.
“Because of the experience that I had and also getting the two degrees that I have now, I got an opportunity to be elevated through the ranks. At the moment I hold the position of a head branch network SME banking, that basically looks at our branches and SME business across the country,” she said.
“It has been a tough journey and at some point, I thought I would quit but when I look back, I am glad that I didn’t give up when things were tough, when funds were not there and when there was pressure.”
Ms Banda is also a motivational speaker and coach, who speaks at events meant to empower women.
She also runs a hair business called Million Hair No Tangles and a mining supplies business with her husband.
Ms Banda, a mother of two, said it is quite tiresome to be at work whilst taking care of the family but she said through hard work, all is possible.
She also urged girls and women to be goal getters, be determined and have big ambitious goals.
“Don’t ever look down upon yourself saying I have a poor background or I learnt in rural schools and all that, but grabbing opportunities will land you where you get more opportunities,” she said. — SikhulekelaniM1
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