By Aldridge Dzvene | Positive Eye News
In a stunning display of intellect, confidence, and strategic thinking, Marist Brothers Nyanga have once again etched their name into history, claiming the championship title for the fourth time in the prestigious Old Mutual High School Quiz. The finals, held under the theme “Fostering Academic Excellence and Preserving African Heritage”, brought together Zimbabwe’s top schools for a battle of wits, culture, and purpose, reflecting a powerful convergence of education, identity, and leadership.
The event crowned months of zonal and provincial rounds that tested not only curriculum-based knowledge but also practical application and Pan-African awareness. Yet, what transpired at the grand finale was more than a competition. It was a celebration of Zimbabwe’s intellectual capital and the role of education in nation-building.
Guest of Honour, Professor Paul Mavima, Minister of Skills Audit and Development, captured this sentiment perfectly in his keynote address. “When we speak of skills development in today’s world, we speak of a multifaceted process that goes beyond classroom walls. We speak of adaptability, critical thinking, and communication, skills that are nurtured in this quiz environment,” he said. For him, the quiz was not merely about recalling facts but about building the foundation of leadership, employability, and resilience.
Indeed, the event stood as a clear reflection of how academic competitions can feed into national development strategies. As Zimbabwe moves to equip its youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where artificial intelligence, data analytics, and entrepreneurship shape global economies, platforms like the Old Mutual Quiz have become fertile ground for grooming future innovators and decision-makers.
Professor Mavima commended Old Mutual Zimbabwe and its partners, especially the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK), for blending financial literacy, Pan-Africanism, and heritage preservation into the competition’s DNA. Through the On the Money programme and visits to the Museum of African Liberation, students were exposed not just to content but to context, grounding their intellect in African pride and purpose.
Marist Brothers walked away with five laptops and US$7,000, while the first runners-up, St. Anthony’s (Masvingo), bagged the same number of laptops and US$5,000. Pamushana High, also from Masvingo, secured third place with three laptops and US$3,000, followed by Fletcher High School (Midlands), who took home one laptop and US$1,000.
This year’s format pivoted towards cash-based rewards, empowering schools to determine their own developmental priorities, a move hailed by educators as timely and progressive.
Behind the scenes, a transformative evolution has been unfolding. From its humble beginnings in 1983 as a local contest among a handful of schools, the competition, rebranded as the Old Mutual High School Quiz in 1994, has grown in scope, substance, and stature. Participation dropped during the post-COVID period to just 127 schools, but the bounce-back has been phenomenal: 326 schools competed in the 2025 edition, reaffirming the quiz’s role as a national intellectual movement.
Old Mutual CEO Mr. Sam Matsekete emphasized that the competition is not just about education, it’s about future-proofing young Zimbabweans. “More than a contest, this is a celebration of intellect, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence,” he noted, citing the company’s ongoing investment in youth empowerment, sustainability, and financial skills training.
INSTAK CEO Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi echoed this, reinforcing the connection between academic excellence and cultural rootedness. “The Book of African Records,” he said, “serves not only to educate but to inspire pride in African achievements and possibilities.”
While the buzzers and rapid-fire questions provided the adrenaline, the underlying message was profound: knowledge is still power, but only if it’s applied with purpose. As Professor Mavima noted in his closing remarks, “Let us use what we know not just to elevate ourselves, but to serve others, protect our heritage, and shape a better Zimbabwe.”
After 42 years, the Old Mutual High School Quiz remains as vital as ever, not simply as a competition, but as a national incubator of visionaries, who, armed with facts, humility, and resolve, are ready to lead Zimbabwe into a future of dignity, innovation, and unity.
