Zimbabwe Student Profiles
Since it's inception in 1999, Usap has helped tens of Zimbabwean students get accepted to top notch colleges in the United States. Some have since graduated and are working in various fields in the United States and elsewhere around the world and some have chosen to remain in academia at various instituations in the United States. There are over a hundred Usap students from Zimbabwe alone and each one of them has an amazing story to tell. Below are brief profiles of some of our students just to give you a glimpse of our diversity as a people as well as the diversity of our their career paths and futures.
| Class of 2009 | Class of 2010 | Class of 2011 | Class of 2012 | Class of 2013 |
Ngonidzashe B. Madungwe
Tufts University 13'
Born on the 28th of June, 1989 in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, Ngonidzashe is the first born in a family of two. He was educated at Victoria Junior and High Schools in Masvingo where he blossomed into an astute, resourceful and diligent science student, attaining honors in debate and the Australian Mathematics Competition. He was awarded a bursary to study his Advanced Levels at Kyle College in Masvingo, where he continued to excel academically and leadership-wise, earning the Quiz and Model Bridge Building captaincy, and going on to win the Quiz Cup.
Graduating in Tufts University's engineering Class of 2013 is Ngonidzashe's next step towards writing his name in the pages of world history. Ngoni aspires to become an engineer/neurosurgeon in his perpetual quest to help leave mankind breathing easier because he has lived on this earth. Ngonidzashe believes in the uniqueness and superiority of the human brain and mind above all creation and along with exploring, mapping, and (where necessary) rehabilitating and developing both, he aspires to become one of the worlds leading and best neurosurgeons. As such a task requires a great and visionary leader, Ngonidzashe, a born perfectionist, is modeling his life towards this goal daily with the words of another great leader, the late President Theodore Roosevelt:
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." – Ted Roosevelt
Yemurai Mangwendeza
Yale University 13'
Yemurai Mangwendeza did her Ordinary Levels at Monte Cassino and her Advanced Levels at the Dominican Convent in Harare where she studied Math, Biology, Chemistry and English Language. She was an active member of the Interact Club and the Shona Choir. Yemurai was the Creative Director of the Current Affairs Club, School Fines Mistress and the Dominic Deputy House Captain. Although she did not participate in any sport at the Dominican Convent, she was a keen supporter of sporting activities, particularly those that involved her own house. She was a school prefect at both the schools she attended.
Yemurai believes in the motto "Life is what you make of it." She believes that there are always opportunities to learn and apply what you have learnt; you just have to recognize these opportunities. Yemurai wants to learn more about diseases and how they can be combated. She sees herself wearing a lab coat in the future.
Tinofara Majoni
Colgate University 13'
Led by the belief "If only you believe, all things are possible", the Highfield High scholar persevered during his high school where he was the best student. Tinofara developed his leadership skills as a senior prefect and secretary of the Scripture Union. Whilst he was the leader of the Mathematics and Chess Club, the highly determined and goal oriented young man managed to complete the three rounds of the Zimbabwe Mathematics Talent Search and was a finalist in the prestigious Zimbabwe Mathematics Olympiad.
When he looks at the world today, Tinofara believes that, "we have to do the best we can; this is our sacred human responsibility" (Albeit Einstein). Tinofara wants to effect a global positive impact seeing an end to poverty and disease. He wants to promote the talent that is in Africa just as he was given the opportunity by Usap and the full scholarship at Colgate University. Whilst waiting for Fall 2009, Tinofara is currently working as an Information Technology Auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Stephen Dini
Swarthmore College 13'
Stephen did his Ordinary Levels and Advanced Levels studies at Kutama College where he was the Headboy and president of the Student's Union for the Class of 2008. Stephen majored in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Further Mathematics. Stephen has an amazing passion for Mathematics and represented Zimbabwe twice for African Mathematics. He was also awarded the Silver Medal in the Old Mutual run Zimbabwe Mathematics Olympiad for the year of 2007. Stephen was highly active in a number of activities being hailed as the Interim CEO for the Commercial Company of Kutama.
Stephen lives by the adage, "Amidst any eclipse, you must always shine", and hopes one day to be an internationally recognized actuary who will do much to model the outlook of the nation.
Tatenda Yemeke
University of Chicago 13'
Tatenda joined the Gokomere community in 1999 as a fourth grader at Gokomere C.P.S so by the time he graduated from high school after studying Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, he had spent 10 years at Gokomere. It's not surprising that most of his values have been shaped by his experiences there and they are summed up by the two schools' mottos Vincere Caritate / Conquer with love and In unitate stamus / In unity we stand. Tatenda was involved in Public Speaking and debate. In High school he was the Captain of a formidable and trailblazing Quiz Team and in his final two years he was the president of the club. He was also the public relations officer of Gokomere Charity Association, a student run organization which paid school fees, sourced books and uniforms for pupils at two local primary schools and also sourced bedding and utensils for the local clinic.
Tatenda is passionate about computing. He was the best computer science student throughout his High school years, earning himself the nickname "the yokobyte". Thus, he hopes to major in computer science and might also consider physics, another passion. Studying photons, positrons, quarks, relativity in physics was a humbling experience as he realized the grandeur of creation and how much more human have to learn and he concurs with Sir Isaac Newton: "To the world I might seem like a great man, but to me I seem only to have been like a little boy playing on the seashore, occasionally finding a rare seashell while the ocean of truth lies undiscovered besides me."
Blessing Havana
Pomona College 13'
A mighty young woman of integrity, Blessing was born in April of the year 1990, a true blessing to her people. She did her Ordinary and Advanced Level education at St. Dominic's Secondary School, under the safe hands of a diligent Headmaster and staff. Living her dream, Blessing studied Management of Business, Accounting, Geography and Literature, the latter being her personal favourite. She was actively involved in Debate, Youth Against Aids, the choir, and First Aid. She held high leadership positions in all her extra-curricular activities. Blessing was also a senior prefect, in both ordinary and advanced level.
Blessing's dream is to serve her country in the development scene. She hopes to see Zimbabwe a better place to be. One of her aims is to make a difference and advocate for the weak. After an eduction in the United States, Blessing is determined to promote an Aids free generation.
The great leader, Nelson Mandela, motivates Blessing by his statement, "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate but that we are powerful beyond measure." It is by this that Blessing lives, without fear and with passion, power and all might, to shine brighter than ever with each coming day. It is her hope that when she departs from the earth, she will have run and finished her race and fulfilled her purpose.
Zvikomborero Matenga
Wesleyan University 13'
Born in a small village in Buhera and bred in the high-density suburb of Glen Norah A, Zvikomborero attended Harare High School (Danho) in Mbare. It is at Danho where he was groomed to be both a sportsperson and a scholar. Driven by an inner determination to succeed in life ands the famous words said by Einstein that "Great people did not excel in things that were extra-ordinary, but does the ordinary things in a great way". Though emerging from a humble beginning this young has got an unimaginable vision for his life.
At school he was the chairman of the Electronics Club which happened to be his brain child. His love for physics did little to limit him from other activities as shown by the role he played in Danho's soccer team. The young man has an insatiable appetite for mathematics and has hopes to take further his mathematical abilities though this dynamic world has forced him to consider economics and computer science as other options to take. This is only the beginning of a Buhera boy who believes that, "Every one of us is unique in his own way".
Lesley Nyirenda
Stanford University 13'
A humble young man born in a small compound of Cement Siding, Lesley grew up to be an inspiration for his peers. He was headboy at his local primary school before he went to Milton High School, where he was elected prefect in his senior years. While he was a member of the French and Science clubs there, he proved his academic worth by scoring eleven A's in his O-level examinations, the best ever in his 96 year old school history and the best in his province. He was subsequently awarded the prestigious Joshua Mqabuko Scolarship and also earned a PPC Study Grant.
Despite his demanding A-level curicullum of Maths, Physics and Chemistry (which he passed with straight A's), he was able to start a community club for the youth and revitalise the Writers' Club at his school. Now his dream is to be an influential figure in the development of Zimbabwe through dynamic engineering strategies and scientific research. Lesley hopes a broad-based Liberal Arts education at Stanford University will be a great start to realising his dream. "I delight in my weaknesses, for when I am weak, then I am strong." (St. Paul) is Lesley's favourite quote which keeps him going.
Lennox Chitsike
Hamilton College 13'
Lennox, a St. Faith's High Alumni, is a bright young man full of dreams, promises and potential bundled up in him that he hopes to unlock in the next four years. He pulled himself up with the proverbial boot strings from a country boy in Njanja as a child to become a Hamiltonian. The first step to realizing this dream was when he made it to joining the St. Faith's elite ranks and becoming one of the best students at that powerhouse. As a great public speaker, soccer player, and being in the presidium of the school's student government he managed to define himself not only as a dreamer but a winner.
Lennox also loves writing and he exhibited his prowess when he writes about resilience and passion in his life story, "Turbulent streams are known to swell into still oceans.” His high school notebook hardbacks were written, "I might not be the world's best but where the best go I shall go." And that he proved by becoming a child of one Zimbabwe's finest families - Usap. Lennox's greatest dream is to become a medical doctor and he hopes to pursue a biochemistry and computer science double major at Hamilton.
Corra Leigh Magiya
Providence College 13'
Born and spent almost all her life in the heart of Mbare in Harare, Corra was one of the fortunate few who obtained the best education as compared to her fellow counterparts. She did her Odinary Levels at St. Dominic's Chishawasha and her Advanced Levels far away from home at Regina Mundi in Gweru where she studied History, Literature and Divinity. Though she barely knew anyone in that part of the country, she managed to adapt and made new friends. Within a year she was named as the Head Girl. Corra has always been an active student and she actively partook in writing and presenting speeches which was automatically mandatory when she became Head Girl, Christian Life Community Group, Interact Club, and Volleyball. In volleyball particularly, she scooped the "Most Valuable Player" and the "Best Attacker" at almost all the volleyball tournaments she participated in. She earned her first title as captain at St. Dominic's and the title has clung onto her ever since. Twice she was invited to play for the Zimbabwe Women's Volleyball Team!
The driving force behind Corra is a quote from 2 Thessalonians 5 vs 13, "In everything give thanks for it is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you." She believes that all things happen for a reason; the reason of which might not be known or understood by man but God always has a plan for each and everyone of us to prosper. Unfortunate and painful events may happen but if it does not kill, it only makes one stronger. Armed with a law degree and a minor in military science, Corra aspires to put an end to all criminal, domestic and military injustices, specifically those inflicted upon women.
Joshua Foromera
Duke University 13'
Joshua, an exemplary and humble boy who grew up in the rural district of Chibi in Masvingo, completed his Ordinary level at Arch Munaka Secondary School and his Advanced Level Studies at Hippo valley High school in Chiredzi. It was his two years of high school that reinvented Joshua into a Biology enthusiast although he also excelled in Mathematics and Chemistry. In school, he was a Scripture Union leader and played baseball from his early years.
At Duke, he is aiming to establish himself among global Biology gurus. Two doors await to open for Joshua, one leads to the world of genetics and the other widens into the avenue of Neuroscience. "Success belongs to the most persistent and optimistic" is his statement to his fellow science enthusiasts around the globe.
Rutendo Ruzvidzo
College of Wooster 13'
''I was designed for accomplishment, engineered for success and endowed with the seeds of greatness.''
Rutendo Ruzvidzo is the first in a family of two girls. She attended Glen View Primary and Secondary Schools and later went to Gateway High School for her Advanced Levels. She studied mathematics, accounting and business studies and came out with straight A's. She loves volleyball and cricket.
Rutendo aspires to major in mathematics and economics. She is a dertemined young young woman who has stood up for her decisions even when everyone was against them. She is inspired by people such as Hope Sadza, Nigel Chanakira and Zimbabwean renowned motivational speaker Milton Kamwendo. She is also inspired by the words of one speaker, "Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can clebrate that roses have thorns. Today stretches ahead of me waiting to be shaped and here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is entirely up to me."
Tatenda Shopera
Jacobs University Bremen, Germany 13'
Born in a remote area of Masvingo, Tatenda grew up in a warped society of Mbare Township, the dormitory township that provided labor to Harare during the apartheid pre-independence era. He did both his Ordinary and Advanced Levels at Harare High school. He majored in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Accounting at Advanced level and he passed with excellent grades. Having succumbed a number of difficult challenges in life, Tatenda have learnt to persevere and endure in every challenge because eventually he will soar to the highest in everything he set his eyes on. he was the captain of Hahare High's basketball 'A' team as well as the deputy chairperson of the Electronics club. He hopes to study Applied Computational Mathematics at Jacobs University Bremen.
More Zimbabwe student profiles
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