A college student from the sticks just snagged second place in a major regional contest. Danai Kwedza, a 21-year-old accounting student at the University of Zimbabwe from rural Chihota, placed in the SADC Tertiary Institutions Essay Competition, winning a prize of 1,500 dollars. She stated her motivation was to acknowledge government support for girls from poor backgrounds, adding that competing at a regional level from a rural setting is tough but possible. Her finish is notable given she competed without a laptop or smartphone and had limited data for research.
Her perseverance paid off beyond the cash prize, as a local company took notice and donated a laptop to her. Danai's father, Tendai Kwedza, used the moment to encourage other parents to back their daughters' ambitions. The student herself said she entered the contest again, aiming for the top spot, viewing it as a way to show appreciation for the opportunities provided to girls like her.
Her perseverance paid off beyond the cash prize, as a local company took notice and donated a laptop to her. Danai's father, Tendai Kwedza, used the moment to encourage other parents to back their daughters' ambitions. The student herself said she entered the contest again, aiming for the top spot, viewing it as a way to show appreciation for the opportunities provided to girls like her.
