ZIMBABWE made a historic debut at the 2024 Enactus World Cup, sending its largest-ever delegation of 38 representatives from four universities, winning numerous accolades at the competition held from October 1-4 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The University of Zimbabwe, Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), and Midlands State University (MSU) participated in various tracks of the competition, including the Action with Africa Challenge and the Early-Stage Competition Category.
The Enactus World Cup 2024 gathered over 700 young social entrepreneurs from over 30 countries, aiming to solve critical global challenges through collaboration, innovation, and intercultural connections.
Zimbabwean Enactus teams excelled in their respective categories. NUST won the Early-Stage Competition Category, while BUSE was the first runner-up in the Action with Africa Challenge. NUST’s winning project transformed plastic litter in Bulawayo into a fuel resource, addressing high levels of plastic pollution and promoting recycling.
BUSE’s Organix Project, the first runner-up in the Action with Africa Challenge, focused on extracting chitin in mushrooms for water treatment and providing biopesticides and natural food preservatives for women farmers. The project received a 7500 Euro investment for its positive SDG impact and job creation.
Enactus Zimbabwe Country Leader and Executive Director Cleopatra Makoni expressed gratitude to stakeholders, including corporate partners and university institutions, for their support.
She also commended the exceptional hard work and dedication of Zimbabwean students.
“NUST’s victory is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of Zimbabwean students,” Makoni said.
“They have shown the world that with innovation and entrepreneurship, we can tackle even the most pressing challenges.”
The University of Zimbabwe competed in League 2 against Hong Kong, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, with Hong Kong and Kazakhstan proceeding to the semi-finals. In the final round, Tunisia’s Tunis Business School won the world championship title with their social enterprise, BOVITA.
Bindura University of Science Education student Tinotenda Chitanda shared his life-changing experience with the Enactus program, highlighting its role in shaping him as an entrepreneur and fostering creative, compassionate solutions to global challenges.
“This journey has instilled in me that entrepreneurship fueled by creativity and compassion can reshape the world,” Chitanda shared.
“I’ve gained a global network, invaluable lessons, and a renewed sense of purpose.”
Delta Corporation Limited’s Patricia Murambinda, representing Zimbabwe at the event, expressed delight in the level of innovation displayed and encouraged teams to continue their work towards advancing sustainable development goals.
“The youth are the driving force behind a sustainable future,” Murambinda said.
“The innovative solutions we witnessed today are inspiring, and we are proud to support Enactus in empowering young people to create positive change.”
The Enactus World Cup event was attended by notable figures such as ecologist and philanthropist Aselle Tasmagambetova, Director of UN Global Compact Kazakhstan Dinara Seijaparova, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Tourism Kairat Sadvakasson, and Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek.
Since 1975, Enactus has empowered young people around the world to use innovation and entrepreneurship to address pressing social and environmental issues, impacting millions of people through over 75,000 projects and businesses.
