ZOU Turns ZITF Day Two into an Incubator for Student Dreams
The doors opened wider on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, as Day Two of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) roared to life. At the beating heart of the youth movement stood the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU). While the university’s Hall 3, Stand 3G21 served as a high-traffic hub for industry engagement, the spirit of discovery extended to Hall 5, where the nation’s brightest young minds took center stage at the Innovators Forum.
Stepping into the spotlight at the Hall 5 Innovators Forum, Margaret Chakurira, a Student Innovator from ZOU’s Harare/Chitungwiza Regional Campus, shone as a proud ambassador of the university’s research-driven culture. She captivated judges and industry leaders with Ivhumunhu, a groundbreaking project that perfectly captures ZOU’s deep commitment to homegrown, sustainable solutions. Competing against the nation’s brightest, Margaret secured a stellar 7th place out of 18 elite young minds!
Left: Acting Dean, Faculty of Commerce Dr. B. Mbuyisa with Bulawayo Student Innovator Sithembinkosi Damba at ZITF 2026. From Magaka Juice, Dorofiya Juice to custom detergents, Damba is showing the world what happens when ODFL flexibility meets student ambition.
Simultaneously, back at the main exhibition in Hall 3, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Dr. B. Mbuyisa, spearheaded a narrative of commercial excellence. This vision was personified by Sithembinkosi Damba, a trailblazing Student Innovator from the Bulawayo Regional Campus. Within the busy corridors of Hall 3, Damba showcased the tangible success of her Dorofiya Juice, the refrefreshing Magaka Juice and Baobab Fruit Cake and a range of detergents.
While Brand Ambassador Walter Mathembe Ndlovu facilitated peer-to-peer sessions on the university’s impact, the dual presence of Chakurira and Damba served as the ultimate proof of concept. Their ability to pioneer research and scale businesses while pursuing their degrees demonstrates how Open and Distance Flexible Learning (ODFL) acts as a crucial “safety net,” allowing young visionaries to innovate without hitting pause on their education.
The hunger for African-centric solutions was palpable across both venues. In Hall 3, Prof. Tavonga Njaya captivated delegations with insights into ZOU’s research breakthroughs, such as revolutionary plastic pavers and climate-smart agriculture, providing students like Margaret and Sithembinkosi with a roadmap to compete on a global stage.
Behind this student-led momentum is a deeply committed executive team. Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Henry Gundani, alongside Mrs. Shingayirayi Moyo and her team, moved between halls to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Dr. Lilibeth Hadebe anchored the Hall 3 stand, welcoming potential students and international buyers with the embracing warmth of the Bulawayo Campus.
“Yesterday we showed them what is possible; today we are showing them how to build it. ZOU isn’t just a place to get a degree; it’s an incubator for the competitive industries Zimbabwe needs.” — ZOU Marketing Team
As ZITF 2026 heads into Day Three and the International Business Conference, ZOU continues to prove that flexible, student-centered education is the bedrock of a thriving, connected Zimbabwe.
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📍 Visit us tomorrow at Hall 3, Stand 3G21.
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Day 2 Gallery
