The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show has long been a national platform for celebrating progress, innovation, and community resilience. For the Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (FAWEZI), this space represents more than an exhibition—it is a living classroom where young people showcase their talent, creativity, and commitment to shaping a better future for Zimbabwe.

As part of its mission to advance girls’ education and skills development, FAWEZI participated in the Show to amplify the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme, which seeks to expand access to tertiary education through pathways such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). By engaging with learners, educators, and stakeholders, FAWEZI demonstrated how innovation in STEM can drive inclusive development.

Shaping the Future Through STEM

FAWEZI’s presence at the Show was marked by interactions with partner tertiary institutions that are nurturing the next generation of innovators. Students proudly displayed their STEM-based projects—innovations that respond to real challenges in agriculture, technology, health, and environmental sustainability. These exhibitions underscored the role of young people as changemakers, demonstrating that with the right support, they can design practical solutions that improve livelihoods and strengthen communities.

Importantly, many of the projects on display echoed the energy and creativity witnessed earlier in the year at FAWEZI STEM Fairs in Epworth and Hopley. By providing such platforms, FAWEZI continues to ensure that young learners, particularly girls, gain opportunities to test, showcase, and refine their ideas. This continuity—from community fairs to national showcases—demonstrates the power of sustained investment in youth innovation.

Bridging Secondary to Tertiary Pathways

FAWEZI also worked alongside the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to amplify its visibility during the Show. This collaboration highlighted how secondary school learners are already engaging in STEM innovations as they prepare to transition into TVET colleges and universities.

The projects presented by high school students were not only imaginative but also practical—ranging from small-scale agricultural solutions to digital innovations. Some had even been recognized at FAWEZI’s earlier STEM competitions, proof that when young people are given the tools and encouragement to innovate, their ideas can stand proudly on bigger platforms.

Commitment to Inclusive Development

At the center of FAWEZI’s engagement is a simple but powerful commitment: ensuring that girls and young learners have the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in STEM. Through initiatives like the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme, FAWEZI is working to bridge gender gaps in education, open pathways to tertiary and vocational training, and empower youth to become leaders in Zimbabwe’s development journey.

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show served as a vivid reminder that innovation is not confined to laboratories or lecture halls—it lives in the imagination of every young learner who dares to dream. By creating pathways for these learners, FAWEZI is investing in a generation that will design the solutions of tomorrow.