By Kuda Pembere recently in Nyazura
The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) was crowned the winner of this year’s SAYWHAT University Quiz Competition last Friday.
Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) came in second, while Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) secured third place.
This year’s edition of the competition, dubbed the Rujeko Edition, featured 16 universities, up from 12 in the previous year.
Speaking to journalists after the competition, NUST representatives Daniella Manzini and Gideon Mhlanga expressed their excitement at finally clinching the title, having finished in second place last year.
Manzini said they plan to mentor future NUST participants to help them defend the title.
“Last time we were amateurs, but now we really understand what it takes. When you’re preparing, you dig deeper because you know what’s in store. But you never really know the questions, they’re full of surprises.
“With hard work, anything is possible. I’m confident we’ll coach those who will defend the title. Watch out for us next year,” she said.
Mhlanga said the competition allows young people to explore real issues beyond the surface-level content common on social media.
“I would like to say the SAYWHAT Quiz and Debate competitions are impactful. They highlight issues affecting us as young people. With social media, our attention span is very short, we’re used to short reels, and it’s difficult to go through a lot of information at once.
“But through these competitions, we’re given thematic areas to research. As we read, we begin to understand the connections between the issues,” he said.
“I was joking with someone that you’d never find me just randomly opening something like FP2030. If I asked my peers, most wouldn’t know what FP2030 is. But these are real issues affecting us.”
Gabriel Jaji, Provincial Head for the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, said it was encouraging to see students confidently tackling gender-related topics.
“We’re excited to witness our young people, our future and current leaders, engaging in debates on gender equality, gender equity, climate change, and ICT.
“We are impressed by the coordination and the partnerships, including support from the private sector, civic organizations, and institutions of higher learning, all contributing to gender mainstreaming discourse through this event,” he said.
SAYWHAT Executive Director Jimmy Wilford said the competition gives students a platform to advocate for change on issues affecting Zimbabwe, Africa, and the world.
“The questions focus on global commitments like the Beijing Declaration, CEDAW, and the Maputo Plan of Action. The idea is to engage students and motivate them to read more.
“They are assigned topics such as climate change, gender equity, and the impact of education, encouraging them to think critically and advocate for change. The quiz provides an innovative approach to advocacy among young people,” he said.
With plans underway to expand participation to two more universities in future editions, SAYWHAT Advocacy Specialist Isabella Michael said the quiz challenge, launched in 2019, aims to deepen young people’s understanding of health and education rights.
“As SAYWHAT, we invest in educating youth through information dissemination and peer-to-peer learning. We inform them about sexual and reproductive health rights and related issues like climate change, emerging technologies, and drug and substance abuse.
“When we began in 2019, only 10 universities took part. The competition has since grown. In recent years, we’ve been engaging 12 universities, and now, for the 2025 edition held at Rujeko in Nyazura with support from Nyaradzo, we had 16 universities participating, including faith-based institutions like Catholic University of Zimbabwe, ZEGU, and Reformed Church University,” she said.
The competition was sponsored by Nyaradzo Group and Akello Smart Learning.
Prudence Mganiwa, Public Relations and Corporate Communications Officer for Nyaradzo Group, said such platforms are important for tackling youth issues.
“I think what matters, regardless of background or context, is open conversation. Reproductive health and the challenges our youth face, especially the boy child who often struggles to speak out, need attention.
“This doesn’t take away from the girl child’s challenges, but as women, we tend to be more outspoken. Platforms like these give young people the opportunity to speak, debate, and reflect. It may not create instant change, but it certainly plants a seed,” she said.
