Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
GROWING up in adversity, Sicelo Dube’s story is one of resilience, determination, and innovation. Orphaned at a tender age, she often attended school in worn-out shoes — or barefoot — and missed classes when fees were unpaid.
Yet, against all odds, she not only completed her secondary education but went on to study at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and the National University of Science and Technology (Nust).
Today, she stands as an inspiration for learners facing similar hardships, proving that education can change lives.
Dube holds a degree in Biology and Biochemistry from UZ and furthered her and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology from Nust Nust.
Affectionately known as the STEM Lady, her passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is unmatched — especially in rural areas where science laboratories remain a distant dream. Her work has attracted attention from Government and the corporate sector alike.
At the heart of her mission is a groundbreaking innovation: Science Mobile Laboratories, designed to bring practical science learning to even the remotest corners of Zimbabwe. These mobile labs are equipped with a gas tank, solar panel, inverter, battery, manual pump, and water containers — providing essential resources for experiments where electricity and running water are scarce.
Saturday Chronicle first encountered Dube’s inspiring journey during the commissioning of 75 mobile science laboratories at Kusile Primary School in Lupane, Matabeleland North, on Tuesday. Before an audience that included Matabeleland North Provincial Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo, Government officials, corporate executives, traditional leaders, parents, and villagers, Dube requested to speak directly to the schoolchildren seated under a large blue tent. Her message was clear and powerful: STEM is the future.
“I’m a Nketa girl who used to go to school barefooted and without a lunch box for food. I was also one of the students who was told to go home and only come back to school when fees was paid in full. I became an orphan when I was a little girl and could have ended up married somewhere in the rural areas at a young age but I persevered with my education because I understood that the only route to a better education was education.
“The innovation came from my experience as a science teacher and lab technician that learners do not need big and expensive laboratories to learn or even excel in science subjects. I figured out that small mobile labs that can be shared by different groups of learners and can be moved from one location to another are equally useful to science teachers,” she said in an interview.
The mobile labs, certified by the relevant ministries, took a year to design, build, and secure approval from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Under the Science Emakhaya/Science Kumusha programme, they have been impacting not less than 3 000 students annually since 2022 through career guidance and hands-on science learning.
“Now we are excited to see corporates such as Hwange Colliery Company joining us by acquiring the mobile labs and distributing them to remote rural schools in Matabeleland North Province and the rest of the country.
“The mobile labs work even better than the traditional labs because unavailability of water, and electricity does not render the mobile labs unusable.
“They come with a solar panel, inverter and battery for electricity and portable water containers, for fresh and used water), a manual water pump and a gas tank for heating during science experiments.”
Partnering with Government to take science learning nationwide is a dream come true for Dube and her team.
“After taking our prototype of our mobile lab for testing and certification with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, they were impressed with our work and we entered into a partnership with Government to assist in its drive to take science learning to all corners of the country.
“We are a perfect example of a private-public partnership with Government that pushes the boundaries to make STEM education in every school a reality and we are grateful to companies such as Hwange Colliery Company for assisting us in that journey. As part of its Community Social Responsibility initiatives, Hwange Colliery Company invested US$90 000 to acquire the 75 mobile labs for the schools in Matabeleland North.”
Hwange Colliery Company Holdings chief executive officer, William Gambiza, emphasised the company’s commitment to shaping a brighter future.
“As an organisation, we fully recognise that our role extends far beyond just mining of coal. We are deeply committed to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, which guide how we operate responsibly, sustainably and inclusively. This donation is a tangible demonstration of the impact of our social responsibilities where we invest in communities, in people and in the future of education,” he said.
Matabeleland North Provincial Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, hailed the initiative as transformative:
“The introduction of these mobile science laboratories is not merely the distribution of equipment; it is the opening of new doors of opportunity for our rural learners. For too long, many of our rural secondary schools have operated without adequate science laboratories, thereby limiting the full delivery of the Heritage-Based Curriculum. The initiative is firmly aligned with our national agenda of ensuring access to modern technology and quality education, regardless of location,” said Minister Moyo.
