Student empowers peers with free online lessons and mentorship platform

DRIVEN by a passion to transform the landscape of education for many youths who, like him, faced significant socio-economic challenges, a 22-year-old National University of Science and Technology (Nust) student, Melulwazi Dlamini, has established an organisation called ZimInclusive Learning for Youth.

The initiative aims to promote educational equity by providing free online lessons and mentorship programmes to students across Zimbabwe, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Mr Dlamini said he overcame significant challenges in his educational journey hence he understands the struggles faced by many students.

ZimInclusive is registered with the Zimbabwe Youth Council and offers online lessons across the country.
By offering free online lessons through WhatsApp, the organisation has attracted a dedicated team of student volunteers from universities like Nust, Midlands State University (MSU) and Lupane State University (LSU).

Qualified teachers with similar backgrounds have also joined the fold, creating a powerful support network.
Raised by a single mother in the rural village of Mlambaphele in Gwanda District, Mr Dlamini’s father passed away before he was born, leaving his mother to struggle to pay his school fees. Despite these hardships, Mr Dlamini’s unwavering determination to pursue education saw him walking seven kilometres daily to attend classes at Halisupi Secondary School.

During his school years, Mr Dlamini worked as a builder’s assistant to finance his extra lessons, an experience that not only helped him but also contributed to building a new classroom at his school. His dedication caught the attention of sponsors who funded his secondary and high school education.

This crucial support inspired him to give back to his community in a meaningful way by establishing ZimInclusive.
“During my years at Halisupi Secondary School in Gwanda, I walked seven kilometres daily to attend classes. To finance extra lessons, I worked as a builder’s assistant, helping build a new classroom at our school.

I got a sponsorship that helped me throughout my secondary and high school education,” said Mr Dlamini.
Despite losing his father before he was born and his mother in 2021, Dlamini secured sponsorships that allowed him to pursue his education, culminating in his current studies for a BSc Honours degree in Applied Chemistry at Nust.

“I enrolled at Nust for a BSc Honours degree in Applied Chemistry. I then looked back and reflected on my own struggles and that inspired me to start giving free online lessons to other youths,” he said.

Mr Dlamini said they also have a programme where they provide practical training to teachers. “As ZimInclusive, we have a comprehensive approach that tackles issues on multiple fronts. We understand that strong teachers are the backbone of a successful education system and thus provide professional development opportunities for educators,” he said.

“Professional life coaches and teachers volunteer to teach for free, we have managed to reach many students and also got sponsors to help a few academically gifted students. We want to expand the number of students to get sponsorship so that they attend school.”

ZimInclusive also offers empowerment services, champions gender equality and advocates for the inclusion of students with disabilities

“As ZimInclusive, we work directly with schools, providing support for their overall development. We also assist Zimbabweans in the diaspora who failed their exams and wish to return to Zimbabwe to retake them,” said Mr Dlamini.

One of the beneficiaries, Irene Mabikire, an A-level student at Evelyn High School in Bulawayo credits the organisation for her success in her O-level exams.

“I joined ZimInclusive when I was doing my O-levels and because of the assistance I got, I managed to pass my final examinations.

“The organisation has become a lifeline for learners like me, bridging the educational gap emanating from socio-economic challenges,” she said.