Online Reporter
Deputy Minister Phuti Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
STRONG innovations should be rooted in identity, informed by local knowledge and directed towards national development, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti has said.
He made the remarks at the World Robot Olympiad Zimbabwe 2026 National Finals held in Bulawayo on Friday. The event, which started on Wednesday and ended on Friday, brought together schools from the country’s 10 provinces.
More than 500 participants, including students and educators, gathered to demonstrate what is possible when talent is given the tools, guidance and opportunities to flourish.
The event was held under the theme “Robots Meet Culture.”
Deputy Minister Phuti said young people should be able to design robots and intelligent systems that understand and respond to the needs of their communities.
“Young people should be able to design robots and intelligent systems that understand communities, respond to local challenges, preserve our heritage and carry Zimbabwean ideas into the future. The strongest innovation is not imitation. It is technology rooted in identity, informed by local knowledge and directed towards national development.
“The theme therefore aligns strongly with Zimbabwe’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, our heritage-based curriculum and the principles of Education 5.0. The National AI Strategy calls upon us to build the skills, governance, infrastructure and innovation capacity required to use artificial intelligence responsibly and productively. The heritage-based curriculum asks education to draw from our culture, environment and lived realities. Education 5.0 requires our learning institutions to move beyond teaching, research and community service to embrace innovation and industrialisation,” said Deputy Minister Phuti.
The World Robot Olympiad Zimbabwe competition began in 2023 with just 35 students. In 2024, four provinces participated, with one team travelling to Turkey to represent Zimbabwe.
In 2025, all 10 provinces participated, while a 24-member delegation representing five teams from five provinces travelled to Singapore to represent Zimbabwe at the international finals.
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