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Blessings Chidakwa Herald Reporter
The Tynwald High School team that conquered the World in the 2022 FIRST Global Challenge competition held in Geneva, Switzerland have dedicated their victory to their departed schoolmates killed in an accident in Nyanga while they were in Geneva.
The team won the gold XPRIZE Innovator award for developing an innovative solution to combat climate change barely days after losing 6 students back home in a tragic accident in Nyanga.
President Mnangagwa has since congratulated the team, which exemplifies the new Zimbabwean direction on science and technology, coupled with innovation.
In a tweet, he said: “Zimbabwe’s future is bright! Congratulations to the Zimbabweans who won the gold medal in a (inter) national robotics competition in Switzerland, beating 183 other nations.
“The young people of Zimbabwe continue to make the entire nation proud.”
Speaking at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday upon arrival from Switzerland, Makanaka Chimiso said as a team the six were dedicating the precious and prestigious win to their fellow learners who succumbed to the horrific accident.
“It was very hard to cope up since we realised that we lost our six angles. It was very hard as we had to divide the attention because after receiving the news it kind of distracted us. But we had to keep our head to the game and we are dedicating these medals to the six angles that we lost. We love you guys, may your souls rest in peace,” she said.
A team member, Michael Mukwakwani also dedicated the victory to their colleagues.
“Upon hearing about the tragedy back home the team was on the verge of not competing but the authorities urged us to compete and bring the trophy back home as we could do anything through Christ who gave us strength,” he said.
The team captain, a Prince Edward learner Blessed Kutyauripo said they were very excited to see that people are actually supporting what they have done and hope to see more of this in future.
“We are very happy to be back home to bring something to Zimbabwe. This serves as an inspiration to other kids, people of our age they can look up to us that this is possible.
“I think that we should actually implement it in Zimbabwe and push for robotics so that all other kids can excel in this field and push for the country to be on the map and global stage,” he said.
A team member Marlon Chipfakacha added that: “It is a tough time for us, but we would like to thank our coach and the school for making us be able to travel to all the competitions that we had till we triumphed at the world stage.”
The youngest team member, a form 1 learner Tanatswa Charemba (12) encouraged more people to join robotics saying the experience was awesome.
Tynwald Schools board of governors chairperson, Ms Florence Mabungu said the win was bitter-sweet as the school are having very muted celebrations after the recent tragedy.
As a school they were still mourning and could only find solace and comfort in God who gave them strength in their hearts and portions quoting Psalms 73:26
Mr Charles Matanga, the national robotics coach, said, “As a discipline we have invested in artificial intelligence and science in line with the 5.0 education system that was introduced by the Government. We want to train school children to create jobs and not to be job seekers.”
“We believe the future of any nation depends on science.”
Mr Matanga said teaching of robotics in schools should be expanded in the country including in rural schools to ensure innovation and skills development.
“Currently, very few schools are teaching robotics in schools and it is high time this issue of robotics is taken to Government schools as well,” he said.
During last year’s competitions Zimbabwe came fourth.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Permanent secretary Dr Beaullah Chirume said they were so elated about the achievements by the youngsters.
“As you appreciate that we are running with the digital economy as the thrust of the Government under NDS1.
“We feel that these youngsters are able to solve the world’s contemporary problems in a very practical way using ICTs. We feel that is actually going to take us far,” she said.
Dr Chirume said the win says a lot about Zimbabwean education especially after Zimbabwe National Moot Court Team was crowned the World champions of high schools moot court.
Online Reporter