A 21-year-old Zimbabwean university student, Danai Kwedza, has earned regional recognition after securing second place in the 2025 SADC Tertiary Institutions Essay Competition.
Kwedza, an Accounting student at the University of Zimbabwe, hails from rural Chihota and is a former pupil at Mahusekwa High School. Her achievement places Zimbabwe among the top performers in the prestigious regional academic contest. 🎓🌍
Speaking on her participation, Kwedza said she entered the competition to acknowledge the support extended to girls from disadvantaged backgrounds through empowerment initiatives.
“I am determined to return and compete for first position as a way of appreciating the support given to the girl child, especially those from poor backgrounds. Competing at regional level from a rural area is not easy, but this achievement shows that it is possible,” she said.
Her second-place finish came with a US$1 500 cash prize, a remarkable feat given the challenges she faced during preparation. Kwedza revealed that she did not have a laptop or smartphone and struggled with limited access to internet data for research.
Despite these setbacks, her perseverance paid off and attracted the attention of a local company, which later donated a laptop in recognition of her commitment and resilience. 💻👏
Her father, Mr Tendai Kwedza, called on parents to actively support their daughters’ ambitions, saying such encouragement is key to helping young women realise their full potential.
Kwedza’s success continues to inspire many young people from rural communities, proving that with determination and support, students from disadvantaged backgrounds can compete and excel on regional platforms
