Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Zimpapers Business Hub
AT 35, Yvette Mundofa’s story is proof that determination can rewrite destinies.
For 15 years, she worked behind the till at a local supermarket, juggling long hours with the demands of family life.
Yesterday, she walked across the graduation stage at the United College of Education (UCE) — not just as a proud diploma holder, but as the overall best student of the 57th graduation ceremony.
Mundofa’s journey, she says, was fuelled by the very challenges that might have discouraged others.
“Being a mother, a wife, a daughter-in-law, and a student all at once was not easy, but those challenges shaped me. They made me stronger, more focused, and more determined to succeed. I had the support of my husband and family, and that made all the difference,” she said.
Mundofa, who has now traded supermarket shelves for the classroom, said education has given her a renewed sense of purpose.
“I asked myself what I would be if I continued without a profession. Teaching gives me not just a career, but also the ability to guide my children and support their studies. Being an educated mother is a plus for the family,” she said.
The ceremony, held under the theme “Accelerating the Wheels of Excellence Through Heritage-Based Education,” was a hive of celebration as 505 students graduated — 465 women and 41 men.
In his keynote address, the guest of honour, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda, highlighted both the remarkable rise of women in education and the worrying decline in male enrolment.
“While our commitment to equity and empowerment remains unwavering, we must interrogate the systemic factors behind this imbalance. Leadership across all genders must be deliberately nurtured and sustained,” he said.
The deputy minister also emphasised Government’s efforts to support inclusive education, noting that 84 graduates — including 79 women and five men — came through special needs programmes, while 50 students with disabilities successfully completed their studies. He commended UCE for ensuring access for disadvantaged learners, citing the enrolment of 12 students under the work-for-fees programme.
Deputy Minister Sibanda noted that heritage-based education is not about preservation alone, as it drives innovation entrenched in relevance, excellence anchored in identity, and development informed by context.
He further urged the graduates to embrace multilingualism, calling language mastery a national strategy for unity, inclusion and global engagement.
“This multilingual approach is not only a pedagogical asset, but a national strategy for unity, inclusion, and international engagement,” he said.
Deputy Minister Sibanda said academic institutions must not only teach but must produce in line with President Mnangagwa’s declaration that, “2025 is the year of commercialisation.
UCE principal Mr Kizito Chitsama reaffirmed the college’s commitment to Education 5.0, pointing to innovation-driven projects in graphic design, agro-enterprises, and textile production.
“In alignment with the Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development’s mandate on Education 5.0, UCE is actively embracing the five pillars of teaching, research, community service, innovation, and industrialisation,” he said.
Mr Chitsama said the college has initiated various projects aimed at promoting innovation and practical solutions to community challenges.
“Notably, our students and staff have been engaged in the following projects among many, graphic designing, agro-based projects like piggery, poultry, and also the textile department that is actively producing gowns, sportswear, and other things, which are in very high demand but affordable,” said Mr Chitsama.
University of Zimbabwe Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs and Administration) Professor Artwell Mamvuto, challenged the new teachers to embrace diversity in classrooms and ensure every learner benefits, regardless of background.
“It is important that these new graduates, as they enter into the different schools, different communities, they need to embrace diversity in terms of children’s abilities, in terms of their social, economic backgrounds, so that every place, every learner has got to benefit from the education that we provide as Zimbabwe,” he said.
“So, as the University of Zimbabwe, we emphasise production of materials that are tailor-made to assist our learners to gain from this education system.”
Sidumisile Mabena