By Beverly Bizeki
Colletah Zabuya, a 2025 graduate from Midlands State University (MSU), emerged as the institution’s best-performing student, earning 43 distinctions and 14 prestigious accolades, a testament to her resilience and dedication despite a challenging upbringing in rural Bikita and Zaka.
The 14 accolades she got includes the MSU Book Prize, His Excellence and Chancellor Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa Award for Innovation at Undergraduate Level (USD 1000), His Excellence and Chancellor Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa Award for Overall Best Female Student at Undergraduate Level (USD 500), Econet Wireless Best Student in the Faculty, Chicken Inn Floating Shield for the Best Student in the Faculty, Coral Soft Award for the Overall Best Female Undergraduate Student , Coral Soft Award for the Best Student in the Faculty, Nicoz Award for the Best Student in the Faculty, ZB Bank Award for the Best Student in the Faculty, CBZ Award for the Three Best Students Graduating with a First Class in the Faculty, ZINARA Award for the Best Student in the Faculty, and NetOne Award for the Best Three Students Graduating with a First Class in the Faculty.
Her academic journey began in Bikita, where she and her twin brother were raised by their blind grandmother after their father’s passing.
“I grew up in the rural area of Bikita where life was never easy. Despite the challenges, our grandmother became our guiding light and source of strength,” Zabuya recalled.
She completed her primary education and advanced to St Joseph Tongoona High School in Zaka, where financial constraints threatened to cut her education short.
“Life was tough as the coffers were dry to cater for school fees, but through the aid of school staff and benefactors, I made it through O’Level,” she said.
After excelling at Ordinary Level, another sponsor supported her through Advanced Level, where she attained 15 points in Geography, Crop Science, and Biology.
“The motive behind choosing this combination was derived from my career aspirations in agriculture and environmental conservation,” said Zabuya.
The same sponsor later funded her tertiary education at MSU, where she pursued a degree aligned with her passion for sustainable development.
“I was motivated by agronomy as it contributes to Sustainable Development Goals, poverty eradication, zero hunger, and climate action. These targets will enable Zimbabwe to resurrect as the breadbasket of Southern Africa as enshrined in Vision 2030,” she said.
To support herself through university, Zabuya worked as a housekeeper for six months before enrolling and joined the government’s student employment programme at MSU.
“I worked as a housekeeper to meet basic needs. With high tuition fees, I joined the students on employment program, which provided free food and accommodation. Managing work and studies was difficult, but I committed to attending tasks and lectures during the day and studying at night,” she shared.
After four years of relentless effort, Zabuya graduated with a first-class degree, achieving an average GPA of 84 percent.
“My story should be a reminder that background is not a barrier. Even coming from a humble, rural place like Zaka Jerera and from a marginalized family, I excelled. Greatness is still possible when determination and faith meet,” Zabuya affirmed.
Now employed as an Agronomist at Farmers Choice, she plans to further her education and integrate artificial intelligence into agriculture.
“My vision is to leverage education and research in Agronomy, particularly through AI integration, to address pressing challenges in food security. I dream of pursuing an MSc and PhD to deepen my understanding of agricultural systems and explore innovative solutions,” she said.
Zabuya aims to implement AI-driven solutions such as precision agriculture, using data from soil sensors and weather forecasts to optimize resource use and increase yields.
“Through education, research, and collaboration, I believe we can make meaningful strides toward food security and sustainable agriculture,” she said
