The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
A ROBOTICS team comprising 15 learners from Manicaland’s Milestone College and Tynwald High School (Harare) did the nation proud when it scooped the coveted 2024 First Tech Robotics Competition title in Milan, Italy, over the weekend.
The team had six learners from Milestone College, which is located on the outskirts of Rusape, along Nyanga Road, and nine from Tynwald High School.
The participants were Robert Marwa, Darryl Mubvuma, Zoe Chibune, Laura Nyambodza, Ruvarashe Shana, Tavonga Musariri, Tanatswa Taremba, Elisha Sherewa, Tinotenda Nyoni, Tinotenda Ndemera, Brayden Gununfu, Jesse Gumbo, Nigel Mutsago, Billy Gasura and Junior Kavenga.
The competition featured 28 teams from other countries and the road to success was not all rosy for Team Zimbabwe as it faced a number of logistical challenges before the competition, including their robotics kit which had been ordered from the United States of America (USA) arriving late, putting them behind schedule in preparing for the competition.
However, this did not dampen the team’s spirits and went on to showcase its robotics prowess, earning The Judges Choice Award — a recognition that speaks volumes about its innovativeness and technical aptitude.
The crowning moment came when the team was honoured as the 2024 champions, marking a significant milestone for the country’s presence in the global robotics community.
One of the team mentors, Mr Stewart Mderere, attributed their success to Government’s thrust towards STEM — an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — which is an interdisciplinary approach to education that combines these subjects to provide learners with well-rounded development.
“The strides made by the national robotics team are a testament to Government’s vision to prioritise STEM education.
‘‘When a nation invests in such programmes that empower youths with the requisite and necessary skills and knowledge, you are, not only shaping the future of the country, but also positioning the country as a global contender in the realm of Science and Technology,” he said.
He said despite the challenges, the learners worked tirelessly, burning the midnight oil to assemble and programme the robot in time for the competition.
Their dedication and perseverance ultimately paid off as they assembled the robot and successfully participated in the technology challenge.
“We encountered difficulties in clearing the kit, which further delayed the team’s preparation. To make matters worse, we had to source funds from well-wishers to pay for the duty and have the kit cleared.
‘‘This added financial strain to the team and created additional stress for all involved,” he said.
His co-mentor, Mr Charles Matanga emphasised on the need to leverage technology and innovation to drive socio-economic development and foster a culture of excellence in the country.
Mr Matanga said initiatives like robotics competition can foster a conducive environment for STEM education and inspire generations to pursue their passions and contribute to the advancement of society.
“We are happy that we have been working together with a view to spread the gospel of robotics in the country. This is one of the many international competitions that we have participated in and won, which proves that we have the skills and knowledge in the country,” he said.
Mr Matanga said they drew inspiration from innovation hubs established in tertiary institutions.
One of the Milestone College learners, Tinotenda Ndemera (15) said they met with success unexpectedly after receiving their kit very late.
“The victory was unexpected because our robot did not have many mechanisms which other robots had. Despite the robot not being able to do many things, the judges were impressed about the fact that we received our kit a few days before the competition, and still took part in the competition, which showed that we were passionate,” she said.
Ndamera said team spirit helped them overcome challenges faced during the competition.
“Team work can help to solve problems and challenges. A person can be very good at something, but still to achieve success you need the help of others. Even though we received the kit late, we managed to achieve our goals as a result of team work. We applied different minds and ideas to form a robot which moved, and we won as a result,” she said.
Another learner, Zoe Chibune (16), of Tynwald High School said they won despite being the only African team in the competition.
“We enjoyed the experience that brought learners from various backgrounds together. I encourage Zimbabweans to embrace robotics, love and enjoy the learning process, and who knows we might have the next Mark Zuckerbag from home soil. It is an inevitable thing with technology,” she said.
Tinotenda Nyoni (18) said taking part in the First Tech challenge was a privilege that she will forever cherish.
“I would like to encourage others to have realistic expectations whenever going for competitions. Success is hinged on the effort one invests in the project,” she said.
