About – Ziyo

Accountants with heart

Specialists to the non-profit sector

Who are we?

Our name is derived from the isiZulu and isiXhosa words for ‘heart’.

The Ziyo team is led by Chartered Accountants and includes accountants, bookkeepers and support staff. We are also linked with a network of professionals in other disciplines who work in the non-profit sector.

We have served the non profit sector for over 25 years, and are a registered practice with SAICA, with a registered Tax Practitioner.

We bring values, skills and experience to organisations.

Ziyo values and ethical culture

Our vision: Active, healthy and effective civil society structures that are well-resourced, efficient, ethical and sustainable.

Our mission: Capacitate and support civil society structures in the development of financial and other management systems and controls that provide greater transparency and accountability. We believe that such systems and controls lead to the generation of additional resources and to the improved management of resources. In this way we seek to assist organisations in the non-profit sector to improve their financial health and sustainability.

Our value base: From a basis of faith, we believe that all people are created to love and work together for the common good; protecting and nurturing the earth, its resources and all its inhabitants. We have a strong commitment to integrity and service. We have a passion for people, development and making a real difference.

Our Team

Brenda Coetzee

CEO & Senior Consultant BComm
(PG Dip Acc) CA(SA)

After qualifying as a CA in 1998 at Deloitte Durban, Brenda worked in London as an internal auditor for the Peabody Trust, a social housing organisation, igniting her passion for developing financial management skills in the non-profit sector. After gaining experience as a consultant on organisational risk management processes and managing internal audit teams at Deloitte Cape Town, Brenda joined Habitat for Humanity SA as national finance manager. In 2010, Brenda joined CMDS, now known as Ziyo, as a consultant and has since served a variety of small to large non-profit organisations and funding agencies. She has also contributed to several organisations as a volunteer board member over the last sixteen years. Brenda became the CEO and sole owner in 2018.

Paul Tyler

Senior Consultant
B Sc (Hons) FCA (Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales)

Paul joined CMDS, now known as Ziyo, in 1997 after working for Christian Aid, a major relief and development agency in the UK. As Finance and Human Resources Director, Paul had overall responsibility for reporting on, and accounting for, an annual income of some R400 million. During his years at Ziyo, Paul has enjoyed getting to grips with South African legislation and practice and has worked with a range of non profits (including funders) to help build their financial and organisational sustainability. Paul enjoys opportunities to train and has lectured for Gordon Institute of Business Science on the Social Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme and University of Stellenbosch Business School's NPO Management Programme.

Lou-May Immelman

Consultant
BComm (Management Accounting)

Kristin Bailey

Consultant
BComm

Evania Chiza

Client Service Bookkeeper
BAcc Honours

Sabrina Collins

Client Service Bookkeeper
BComm Accounting (in progress)

Uviwe Faku

Client Services Bookkeeper
BComm Acc (in progress)

Megan Bowes

Payroll Manager
Diploma in Human Resource Management

Zoe Bailey

Operations Manager
Bachelors in Human Resources

Our Clients

You will find our clients working in deep rural areas, in boisterous townships, across our continent and in centres of power all over the world. They are challenging injustice, inequality and unfairness; they are bringing peace, hope and reconciliation; they are walking alongside agents of change, people of vision and broken spirits with great potential.