adminZIMBABWE is blessed, endowed with young, intelligent and creative minds shattering world records in every discipline.
The young trend-setters are now regarded highly overseas yet they remain nonentities back home.
Some have entered the Guinness World Records, yet we are still to show them love and appreciation.
Maybe, it’s our culture where we don’t value brilliant young minds raising our flag with pride.
This culture must end forthwith to ensure we invest in polishing more rough diamonds at our disposal.
Love or loathe them, our young minds are really making waves away from home.
In education, their rare feat is unrivalled.
The latest being The Zimbabwe Moot Court team, which has conquered the best young minds in Europe and the world, in recent weeks.
The 11-member team first won the World High Schools Moot Court Competition in New York, USA, on Africa Day.
After their deserved triumph, they were crowned European Champions in Romania, on July 3, in the same competition, which attracted many participants, who were vying for top honours.
In this competition (The Moot Court), the Zimbabwean participants took part in a simulated court or arbitration proceedings, which involved oral arguments in a fictitious court hearing set-up.
Their daunting task involved analysing a problem, researching the relevant laws, preparing written submissions and presenting oral arguments.
They indeed nailed it and became the first country in Africa to win the double – European and World titles.
They were the first African country to take part in the European competition and they conquered at their debut show. This was a rare achievement considering how stiff the competition was.
And, for the Zimbabwean team to come tops, they deserve nothing but genuine love. As they return home, it is our hope the nation will honour these lads because they have done us proud.
It starts with the change of mindset.
Honestly, these lads deserve to be pampered with genuine love.
By honouring these brilliant young minds, we are also inspiring others to start believing that nothing is impossible. There is also nothing wrong with us valuing what we have, especially this 11-member group.
However, there are several other learners, who have done us proud before, in areas of research and academics. Some of them have now settled abroad after getting scholarships for their achievements.
Education chiefs need to wake up from their deep slumber and help in spreading the message about these achievements.
At least, embracing such young minds and showing them love is the first step we need as a nation.
This should be also a lesson that education scouts need to cast their nets wider for inclusivity.
As we seek to change the mindset, let’s invest in our young minds and embrace the youthful stars that we have in our midst.
We are a blessed nation, as Zimbabwe, and we should be proud of who we are.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter