MILLICENT HUNGWE
BULAWAYO-THE 66TH Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) became the talk of Bulawayo, as Zimuto High school from Masvingo Province rolled out two spectacular delegations that stole the show.
First, the Drummies marching band stormed the exhibition grounds, turning the fair into a stage of military‑precision drills, rhythmic flair, and confident pageantry.
Dressed in striking white, blue, grey, and gold colours the drummies kept the audience glued to their act as they passed through the various exhibitors.
The delegations were headed by non-other than the school head, Langton Chikaka.
“Drummies were crowned the 3rd best‑dressed team at ZITF, their performance blended energy, movement, and showmanship, earning them the honour of representing Masvingo Province,” Chikaka said.
Coach, Apolonia Chihona praised their national‑pride spirit, while squad leader Tinotenda Chete dazzled everyone with impeccable stick control and crisp execution, earning her the title of second‑best squad leader in the competition.
The Drummies’ tradition of provincial and national success has made them ambassadors for both Zimuto High and Masvingo Province, proving that co‑curricular programs can shine on international stages, as noted by Head Chikaka.
The second delegation was the Robotics Olympiad squad, hailed as the heartbeat of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Midweek watch learnt that, their booth at ZITF attracted industry leaders, students, and policymakers with working prototypes and live coding demonstrations, setting a new benchmark for school‑level robotics innovation.
Head Chikaka confirmed that Zimuto High’s participation at the 66th ZITF embodied Education 5.0 in action, blending academic excellence with cultural performance and cutting‑edge technology, and positioning the school as a beacon of youthful talent in Zimbabwe and beyond.
“President Mnangagwa’s call for education systems that inculcate solution‑driven minds and turn schools into incubators of innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership means he wants schools to shift from traditional textbook‑centric learning to a hands‑on, problem‑solving approach that nurtures entrepreneurial skills and leadership from an early age.
“The vision is to make education a breeding ground for innovation, preparing youth to drive economic growth and solve real‑world challenges.
“The initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Artificial Intelligence strategy 2026 – 2030, which was highlighted at ZITF 2026,” he concluded.
The fair emphasized that Zimuto learners are not waiting for the future, they are actively coding and innovating.
ZITF 2026 focused on practical youth innovation beyond just mines and manufacturing, featuring events like the Youth in Business Conference, Innovators’ forum and a Hackathon that showcased entrepreneurial mindsets taught alongside regular curricula.
Zimuto High’s participation demonstrated the tangible results of blending hard work with innovative education.
The Mid-week watch was informed that Geendah 2.0 was a robotic solution designed by Ashley Makonese and a team from the Robotics Club, including Praise Pabwe, Pfuluphelo Singo, Nokutenda Manasidze, Evelyn Rwakonda and Madhlazi Blessing.
The robot is named after “Jinda raMambo,” reflecting a guardian role in the mine, inspired by mentor Gonese Vincent.
Geendah 2.0 navigates mine tunnels, absorbs toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and methane using an activated carbon filter, and purifies the air, thereby improving the working environment and detecting hazards.
The robot is equipped with a metal detector that identifies metallic minerals on contact, adding practical value for mining operations. By merging safety with productivity, Geendah 2.0 addresses life‑threatening risks and operational needs in challenging mine settings.
Singo explained that Geendah 2.0 is a low‑cost, mobile technology that can reduce fatalities and make small‑ and medium‑mine operations safer.
The overall message from ZITF 2026, illustrated by Zimuto High’s robot project, is that Masvingo is evolving from merely producing certificate holders to producing creators, competitors and leaders who drive innovation and economic development.
