In the evening, she has to shell groundnuts that are needed for the market the following day and these chores keep her ever busy.
But this girl is a month short of writing a final academic examination and her peers are working on their books flat out to do final touches for the exam.
In most cases when people look at such a child, they do not see a bright future. The end seems to be in these groundnuts and eggs.
But for Martha Masaiti-Shoniwa (pictured right), such a life was a learning curve that has brought unexpected results.
At the age of 25, she has bagged enormous achievements, excelling in her academic endeavours.
At Ordinary Level, she had the best results at St Dominic’s High, Mutare after she came out with eight A’s in 2001.
She went on to score 14 points at A-Level at the same school where she studied Mathematics, Accounting and Management of Business.
She was the best student in the commercial subjects.
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In 2008 she completed her Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Accounting degree at the National University of Science and Technology with flying colours in the form of an upper-second class.
For that achievement, she got the Vice-Chancellor’s prize for best student in commerce, Nust Book Prize for best student in the Accounting Department and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (Icaz) best graduating student prizes.
Shoniwa went on to study for the Certificate of Theory of Accounting (CTA) with Icaz in 2009 and scooped the Nakas Cuisine Award for Best CTA student, Best Financial Accounting student award (sponsored by Ernest & Young Chartered Accountants) and Best Management Accounting student award (sponsored by Kudenga Chartered Accountants).
Last year she was the Best Qualifying Student in the final Icaz exams after qualifying with an accounting Honours (last achieved 12 years ago in 1998). She also had the Duff award of merit for Overall Best Student and Best Auditing Student accolades.
She has indeed proved that nothing can stop her academically.
Born in a family of four as the first born in Mutare, Shoniwa grew up in the dusty streets of Chikanga Phase 3 township and spent most of her time selling eggs.
Although she did not enjoy the trade, circumstances required it of her.
“My father was a merchandiser at a local company and did not earn enough to cater for the family and my mother had to work hard for us. Selling eggs was not my hobby but I had to do it,” she recalled.“Because of this type of life, I told myself that I would make the best of every opportunity that I got and I became focused more than most girls of my age.
“I knew something bright would come in the future.”
Before she proceeded to university, Shoniwa had to look for a job and worked temporarily to raise money for sustenance at college.
“I had to get money to look after myself well so that no one would recognise that I was coming from a poor background.
“It was not rosy at college and I remember at one time l had to go to Botswana to do part-time jobs to earn my fees.
“I am where l am today because of my background.”
Shoniwa is currently employed by Deloitte as an Auditor Senior and now lives in Greendale with her husband Courage and daughter Shanice.
