Navigating the Fields of Finance with Tenacity and Purpose
Xhanti Beshe, a distinguished alumnus of Nelson Mandela University, has carved a remarkable path from his childhood in Mthatha to his current role as the Group Financial Manager at Genesis Analytics, the largest management consulting firm in Africa.
Born in Mthatha, he later moved to Pretoria, where he immersed himself in academics and football. Graduating with a BCom in Accounting in 2010 and a BComHons in 2012 from Nelson Mandela University, his academic journey laid the foundation for his future success. However, football played a significant role in his upbringing, with Caledonian Stadium in Arcadia serving as a backdrop for his formative years, whether playing or being a dedicated ball-boy during SuperSport United home games.
Xhanti's journey began with a childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer. However, as high school came to a close, he confronted the reality that others on his team possessed superior talents. Undeterred, he shifted his focus to academics.
In his first year at NMU, his academic prowess earned him induction into the prestigious Golden Key Society. Subsequently, he secured the Thuthuka Bursary and was honored with the Allan Gray Scholarship, dispelling any doubts about his potential for success.
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (SA), Xhanti broadened his horizons in Ernst & Young's London office, gaining insights into team management across global locations. His journey then led him through various roles in prominent companies like Rockwell Automation, EOH, and Multichoice Africa.
He currently serves as the Group Financial Manager at Genesis Analytics, the largest management consulting firm in Africa. In this pivotal role, he oversees the Finance team, driving strategic objectives in areas such as taxes, treasury management, and finance function optimization.
Rooted in his formative years as a football enthusiast, Xhanti sponsors a football team in Munyu, a village in Dutywa, his paternal home. This initiative reflects his commitment to leveraging the transformative power of sport in community development.
Looking ahead, he envisions expanding his knowledge of African markets. His goal is to lead a finance team and organization adept at navigating the complexities of growth within this dynamic and diverse environment.
Xhanti's daily motivation is grounded in the belief that the principle of compound interest extends beyond finances. For him, hard work compounds into success, and the more effort invested, the luckier one becomes.
Reflecting on his Mandela University days, he fondly recalls a memorable escapade to Alice for the tri-varsity games. The adventure involved a bus ride, DJ Fresh's tunes, and a day-long trek back to Gqeberha after ignoring departure warnings.
Xhanti encourages fellow alumni to embrace change and seize new opportunities, asserting that the right to change one's mind is a privilege when new doors open. “You have a right to change your mind once new opportunities present themselves.”