BY BRIAN MATAMBA
HARARE – In the world of sports, we often hear stories of young prodigies who rise through the ranks, rubbing shoulders with future superstars before making their own mark on the global stage.
Shaun Dendere’s story follows a similar trajector. Except instead of continuing in rugby, he found his calling in finance.
The 31-year-old Zimbabwean – now a Trading and Risk Manager for Trive South Africa, a Turkish financial services firm based in Johannesburg – had all the makings of a future rugby star.
He shared the field with two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Malcolm Marx and crossed paths with Proteas fast-bowling sensation Kagiso Rabada at St Stithians College. But while some of his peers went on to become household names in world sport, Dendere chose a different path—one that led him into the fast-paced world of corporate finance and investment.
Early Days in Harare
Born and raised in Harare, Dendere attended Highlands Junior School, a prestigious institution that also produced decorated Zimbabwean Olympic swimmer Kirsty Coventry. It was here that his sporting journey began—though not quite how he had envisioned it.
“I actually wanted to play soccer, but I was a bit short and stocky at the time,” Dendere recalls.
“The coaches suggested I try rugby instead, and I started out as a prop. As I grew and lost weight, I transitioned to lock.”
His talent was evident early on. By Grade 6, he had made the Harare South team. In Grade 7, he captained the Harare North team. His trajectory was set, and bigger opportunities awaited.
The move to South Africa and the Saints experience
In 2007, Dendere moved to South Africa for high school, enrolling at St Stithians College, one of Johannesburg’s elite private schools. There, he continued his rugby development, playing from U14A right through to the first team. It was at Saints that he made another positional switch, moving to the back row.
In grade 11, he was already making waves in South African rugby circles. Selected for the Golden Lions U16 side, he played at the prestigious Grant Khomo Week, where he lined up alongside a young Malcolm Marx.
“Back then, Malcolm was still part of the loose trio, sometimes shifting to lock,” Dendere remembers. “Even at that age, he was a beast—already 100kg! It was always tough playing against him at school level because he was at King Edward School (KES), but it was a joy having him as a teammate for the Lions.”
In his final year of high school, Dendere was again selected for the Lions, this time for the Academy Week team, a step below the famous Craven Week. Marx was also in that side, and it was the point when his transition to the front row became serious.
“The Lions U18 coach, Kyle Splihaus, who was also the KES first team coach, believed Malcolm would thrive as a hooker, so he started playing him there,” Dendere says. “But for his school team, he would still sometimes revert to loose-forward.”
A brush with greatness – Kagiso Rabada
Dendere wasn’t just surrounded by rugby talent at St Stithians. The school was also home to a young Kagiso Rabada, who would go on to become one of South Africa’s greatest fast bowlers.
“The sporting culture at Saints was massive,” Dendere explains. “Kagiso was my junior, but you could tell he had something special. He had this incredible work ethic and confidence, which is probably why he’s been able to achieve so much in his career.”
Shaun Dendere tears away for St Stithians College against Kearsney College. Robert du Preez Jnr, capped once by the Springboks in 2018, is one of of the two Kearsney players chasing him.
Turning down rugby contracts for Finance
By the time he completed high school, Dendere had several opportunities to continue his rugby journey. The Lions offered him a junior contract that would have required him to study at the University of Johannesburg. Western Province also came knocking, with Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town also offering him full rugby scholarships.
But in the end, he chose to enroll at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where he pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Corporate Finance and Investments as well as Insurance and Risk Management, followed by a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Sciences in Risk Management. He still played rugby, representing Wits U20 and later the Wits first team in the Varsity Cup. But by then, his passion was shifting elsewhere.
“I also had to give up my rugby dream to pursue my passion for finance,” Dendere says.
That love for finance had been sparked back in high school when he shadowed the chairman of Stanlib, Saki Macozoma. “By chance, he was busy that day, so I ended up spending time with one of the traders instead. The way he spoke about stocks—it was like something out of The Wolf of Wall Street (…chuckles), I was hooked.”
A fellow Zimbabwean in the same boat
Dendere wasn’t the only Zimbabwean rugby prospect who eventually chose a different career path. He played alongside Takudzwa Goromonzi for St Stithians U16, a gifted fellow countryman who later gave up rugby for a career in banking and finance. Goromonzi, who primarily played centre and also as a utility back, is now based in Cape Town.
The future in finance
Today, Dendere has built a solid career in finance. Based in Johannesburg, he works as a Trading and Risk Manager for Trive South Africa. But his academic ambitions aren’t over. He’s is currently back in school, pursuing a Master of Commerce in Investment Management at the University of Johannesburg.
Looking back, does he regret not pursuing rugby?
“Not at all,” replies Dendere. “I was fortunate to be good at math, and finance has given me a different kind of thrill. I still love the game, and I’ll always be a rugby man at heart. But I know I made the right choice.”
His story is one of talent, opportunity, and tough decisions. While his former teammates are making headlines in rugby and cricket, Shaun Dendere is carving out his own legacy. Not on the field, but in the world of finance.
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