A ZVISHAVANE based radio station, YAFM, is set to host the first ever Schools & Innovation Fair on March 27, 2026 at Gresham Primary School in the mining town.
The Fair will run under the theme: “Showcasing the Schools Economy.”
YAFM general manager, Ebson Hungwe, said the Fair is being held in recognition of the prominent role of schools in the economy.
“The event will celebrate real-world projects and enterprises run by schools, connect educational institutions with industry and finance, and inspire learners by exposing them to diverse pathways including entrepreneurship, skilled trades, further education, and corporate careers,” Hungwe said.
Over 4 000 learners from across the Great Dyke are expected to be represented.
Schools will exhibit live projects ranging from agricultural nurseries, woodworking and tailoring enterprises to technology and innovation hubs, transforming exhibition stands into interactive marketplaces.
Major mining companies in the Great Dyke, together with the schools they support, will participate, highlighting the outcomes of their education-focused community investments.
“The fair will also bring together banks, agri-businesses, seed and fertiliser companies, school suppliers, solar and borehole service providers, construction firms, technical colleges, vocational centres and universities, offering funding desks, practical workshops, career guidance, bursary information, and partnership opportunities,” Hungwe added.
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“Government officials, community leaders and education authorities will engage in dialogue on sustainability and local economic planning.”
At an estimated US$2.1 billion, education contributes around 4% of Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product, underscoring the notion that schools are an economy in their own right.
Within the Great Dyke, this impact is magnified by strong linkages between schools and mining-led development initiatives, sustainability programmes, and Education 5.0-driven income-generating projects.
Hungwe said the fair would position schools at the centre of the Great Dyke’s socio-economic ecosystem and invites industry, financiers, and development partners to invest directly in the future workforce and entrepreneurs of Zimbabwe.
