Macdonald Chimbizi in LONDON
ZIMBABWEAN academic, Dr Varaidzo Felistus Kativhu, says it was the honour of her life to serve as Master of Ceremonies during Pope Leo’s official visit to the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
The ceremony was held on September 25.
Dr Kativhu, who left Zimbabwe at the age of six to settle in the UK, said she was deeply honoured to guide the proceedings.
“I’m extremely honoured to have served as the Master of Ceremony for the Official Visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to UNESCO Headquarters in Paris,” she said.
“This historic ceremony brought together faith, culture and global leadership at a pivotal moment.
“As AI transforms how young people learn, connect and grow, conversations about dignity and protection have never mattered more, and they sit at the core of my work in education.”
Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, used the visit to warn of a corruption of culture in the age of Artificial Intelligence. He urged the world to reflect on what does it mean to be human. The visit was the first papal visit to France since Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and the first papal visit to UNESCO Headquarters since Pope John Paul II in 1980.
Despite spending most of her life in the UK, Dr Kativhu has remained proudly connected to her Zimbabwean roots. She attributed her success to her mother, who insisted on upholding Zimbabwean culture, at their home in the UK.
“Although I left Zimbabwe at the age of six, my mom made it non-negotiable to speak in Shona at home. I was still made to read and write in Shona at home then I was allowed to use English at school and outside our home. Growing up with both cultures side by side – British and Zimbabwean – has been an incredible experience,” she said.
Dr Kativhu celebrated her recent academic milestone in true Zimbabwean fashion.
“My graduation party was the best day ever. What I love most about being Zimbabwean is the idea of togetherness. In our culture, we believe everything is shared – that is children will have 10 moms, or cousins become sisters – and in this case my PhD degree becomes our PhD degree.
“That’s why my family celebrated so hard – chairs in the air and everything,” she said.
Her academic journey is a story of excellence and determination. She studied Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, graduating in 2017.
She later obtained a Master’s in Education from Harvard University in the United States before completing her Doctor of Education at Claremont Graduate University. Her doctoral thesis is titled ‘Beyond Access: Black Women Alumnae’s Perspectives on Navigating Russell Group Universities as Undergraduates in the United Kingdom’.
Dr Kativhu is the author of the book ‘Empowered: Live Your Life with Passion and Purpose (2021)’, published by Penguin Random House.
She is the founder of Empowered By Vee, a charity that supports girls’ education and leadership in Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.
Her work has earned her global recognition, including the Diana Award (2021), BBC 100 Women (2023), Forbes 30 Under 30, British Vogue Force for Change, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford (2024) – where she became the youngest recipient in the university’s history at age 25.
Dr Kativhu has consulted for UNESCO, UNICEF, the Global Partnership for Education and United World Schools.
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, has described Dr Kativhu as a British-Zimbabwean Girls Education Advocate, storyteller and consultant working at the intersection of girls’ education, youth empowerment, and policy change.
