Zimbabwe comes second at Enactus World Cup

ZIMBABWEAN scientists and students are earning international acclaim after winning two major global awards in science and innovation, reaffirming the country's place on the world's research and entrepreneurship map.

Professor Gift Mehlana of Midlands State University (MSU) received the 2025 TWAS-Atta-ur-Rahman Award in Chemistry at the 17th World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The award recognises his pioneering research in developing porous materials as platforms for biological and chemical catalysts.

The TWAS awards, regarded among the highest honours in the developing world's scientific community, celebrate researchers whose work addresses pressing global challenges.

Prof. Mehlana, an accomplished inorganic chemist and academic leader, has long been at the forefront of advancing materials science in Zimbabwe.

His recognition, experts say, not only cements his reputation but also positions Zimbabwean science as a key contributor to international research networks.

Adding to Zimbabwe's global success story, Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) students, led by Donald Mhlanga, secured second place at the 2025 Enactus World Cup.

The prestigious annual competition brings together university teams from around the globe to showcase entrepreneurial projects with real social, economic, and environmental impact.

The BUSE team impressed judges with innovative projects, including a seed-coating initiative to boost food security and an energy-generating shoe capable of charging small gadgets – solutions designed to address local and global challenges.

The student team comprised Last Baloyi, Tadiwa Takawira, Vimbai Euphasia Nyahuma, Jabulani Charity Mugonderwa, Tanyaradzwa Chanetsa, Tanaka Chimpelo, Tanaka Tempo, Billy Chitanda, and Liturgy Kufa.

Their achievements sparked widespread praise. Award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin'ono hailed them as proof of Zimbabwe's "great minds," adding: "What we lack is not talent, but good political leadership to harness and support this brilliance."

Others echoed similar sentiments, with supporters highlighting the need for stronger venture capital and institutional support to help scale such innovations.

With recognition from global platforms such as TWAS and Enactus, Zimbabwe's researchers and innovators continue to prove that despite limited resources, African excellence can thrive and inspire solutions for the world.