Florence Dweba CA(SA), 32

Finalist: Transformative Leader | SAICA Top-35-Under-35 Awards 2025

Florence Dweba is a visionary Chartered Accountant whose leadership blends digital innovation, mentorship, and inclusion to shape the future of the profession. As a Senior Audit Manager at PwC South Africa, Florence has spearheaded strategic transformation initiatives that have enhanced audit efficiency and empowered diverse teams across the firm.

Her journey began with entrepreneurial roots — selling ice-lollies in primary school, crunchies and jewellery in high school — and evolved into a passion for problem-solving and business. As an Allan Gray Fellow, she co-founded a mobile kitchen fast-food franchise during university. She later pursued her dream of becoming a CA(SA), a decision that laid the foundation for her impact in corporate South Africa.

Florence’s leadership at PwC is marked by her role in driving digital transformation. After an international secondment in Tampa, Florida, where she piloted a digitisation model, she returned with a vision to reimagine audit through technology. She represents her division in PwC’s national Engagement Performance & Quality (EPQ) strategy working group and is the lead driver in the Tomorrow’s Audit Today (TAT) team. Under her guidance, the Consumer, Industrial, Products and Services (CIPS) division adopted 451 digital tools — the second-highest in Southern Africa — and contributed to over 103,000 hours to centralized functions, freeing up time and resources for strategic work.

Her leadership has also been instrumental in high-impact audits including listed clients and donor-funded engagements. Florence led fully virtual audits during the pandemic, leveraging digital tools and pioneering remote reporting to donors when others struggled to meet deadlines. The approach became a national reference point for donor-funded entities.

Beyond audit, Florence is a champion of inclusion. As a trainee, she initiated a mentorship “buddy system” at PwC East London to support trainees navigating new environments and led the Junior SAICA BKDA committee’s events portfolio. Florence’s mentorship extends to training over 60 CA trainees across PwC divisions, bridging core audit fundamentals with emerging technologies. Her empathetic leadership has helped colleagues navigate burnout, career transitions, and self-doubt — inspiring many to lead with purpose and authenticity.

She also introduced her division’s first-ever Women’s Day event, creating safe, empowering spaces for women across all levels — praised for fostering authentic connection and humanizing leadership. Anonymous feedback described her initiatives as “innovative”, “energising”, and “transformative”.

Her commitment to youth development is evident in her role as Co-Founder and Treasurer of Thuto iKusasa, a nonprofit providing funding and mentorship to high-potential learners. One of its beneficiaries, is now pursuing a Business Science degree at UCT — a testament to Florence’s belief in investing in future leaders.

In 2025, Florence graduated from the prestigious IWFSA-FASSET Women’s Leadership Programme, nominated by PwC Southern Africa CEO Shirley Machaba. She was also recognized as a runner-up in PwC South Africa’s Under-35 Awards for her contribution to Diversity & Inclusion — all while welcoming her second baby.

Florence Dweba leads with vision, care, and courage. Her work exemplifies the spirit of a Transformative Leader — one who builds systems, uplifts people, and redefines what it means to lead in the accounting profession.