The Sunday News
Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
A ZIMUTO High School in Masvingo lower sixth pupil Admire Tapfumaneyi will get a lifetime opportunity to visit the United States of America for two weeks in December after winning a trip to Silicon Valley innovation hub in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) raffle draw.
Speaking after the prize giving ceremony at Masvingo Polytechnic College on Thursday, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Dr Godfrey Gandawa said Admire, who is among other 12 pupils who won laptops and Ipads from the province, will have all the expenses catered for.
He said the pupil has been presented with a lifetime opportunity to tour one of the world’s innovation hubs in USA with the trip expected to enhance his love for innovation and add value in his studies.
Zimbabwe Development Fund (ZimDef) has so far disbursed $4 475 008 for STEM programme with 5 132 pupils drawn from 265 schools across the country having started benefiting. Advanced Level subjects that fall under STEM are Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Other pupils who won laptops and Ipads were Webster Shuro from Silveira High, Sibonginkosi Sithole (Pamushana High), Munashe Sharara (Silveira High in Bikita), Zvikomborero Tonhodzai (Zimuto High in Masvingo), Daniel Mugabe (Victoria High in Masvingo), Moreblessing Chadenganga (Mufakose High in Chiredzi), Kudzai Rukanda (Gokomere High in Masvingo), Takudzwa Manyezero (Zimuto High in Masvingo), Ruvarashe Chatikobo (Pamushana High in Bikita), Tabeth Chikodza ( Lundi High in Mwenezi), Peacemaker Tiporesu (Mukaro High in Gutu) and Serious Chimhaka (Victoria High in Masvingo).
Those who walked away with Ipads were Josphat Ruhonde (Silveira High in Bikita), Benedict Kwashira (St Anthony’s High in Zaka), Abraham Mhaka (Zimuto in Masvingo), Lionel Tozvireva (Chiredzi Christian College in Chiredzi), Kudzaishe Mukuwe (St Anthony’s High in Zaka), Denzel Chibamu (Victoria High in Masvingo), Rutendo Muraiyo ( Dewure High in Gutu), Dany Mukambachoto ( Victoria High in Masvingo), Panashe Njikiro (Victoria High in Masvingo) and Charles Maziriri (Gokomere High in Masvingo).
“The pupil who won a trip to Silicon innovation hub in the USA will have all expenses covered by the Ministry. He will be exposed to different kinds of science and technological innovations together with other nine pupils from other provinces.
“The ministry will pay his visas, air tickets and will cater for the pupil’s stay for two weeks. They are going to the USA in December. We are doing this as a motivation to the pupils who are doing science subjects at Advanced Level,” said Dr Gandawa.
Admire said he was looking forward to the trip.
“I am on cloud nine after winning this prize. I thank the ministry for such an initiative, under STEM our fees is paid by the Government.
“This prize is a dream come true as it has presented me with a lifetime opportunity to visit the USA and I will be motivated in my education,” said Admire in an interview.
@walterbmswazie2
