After months of intense academic competition spanning zonal and provincial rounds, the highly anticipated finals of the Old Mutual High School Quiz closed today with Marist Brothers from Nyanga, Manicaland, retaining the title for the fourth time.
The prestigious event, held under the theme of fostering academic excellence and preserving African heritage, saw the country’s brightest young minds battle it out in a thrilling showcase of knowledge and quick thinking.
Guest of Honour, Honourable Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima, praised the quiz for going beyond a mere academic exercise by reinforcing national identity and traditional knowledge in an increasingly digital world.
“When we speak of skills development in today’s world, we speak of a multifaceted process that goes beyond classroom walls. We speak of practical application, adaptability, critical thinking, and communication, most of which are fostered and nurtured in the quiz environment. These are not just quiz skills, but they are employability skills, leadership skills, and life skills. The Old Mutual Quiz is not merely a contest of facts; but a crucible of mental agility and strategic intellect. Every participant in this competition has learned how to think, process complex information quickly and accurately, and to perform under pressure. These are core competencies that shape not only academic success but also future careers across all sectors of our economy,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of nurturing adaptive and innovative minds to meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, citing artificial intelligence, data analytics, and entrepreneurship as key fields shaping the future.
“As we look toward the future, we must be intentional about supporting initiatives like this one. The Fourth Industrial Revolution demands adaptive, innovative, and resilient minds. Artificial intelligence, data analytics, climate change adaptation, and entrepreneurship are all fields that will shape the global economy. We must equip our youth with both the technical and soft skills to navigate this terrain. And it begins here, with curiosity, with confidence, with communication.
“Let me leave you with a simple reminder: Knowledge is power, but only if it is pursued with humility and applied with integrity. Let us use what we know not just to elevate ourselves, but to serve others, to protect our heritage, and to shape a better Zimbabwe.”
The Minister also commended Old Mutual for creating an inclusive platform where students from diverse backgrounds, urban and rural, privileged and underprivileged, could compete on equal footing, proving that talent and skill know no boundaries.
The awards ceremony saw Marist Brothers walk away with five laptops and US$7,000, while first runners-up St Anthony’s from Masvingo took home five laptops and US$5,000.
Pamushana High, also from Masvingo, secured third place with three laptops and US$3,000, followed by Fletcher from Midlands, who received a laptop and US$1,000.
This year, Old Mutual shifted focus to cash prizes, empowering schools to allocate funds according to their unique needs.
The 42nd edition of the quiz was run in partnership with the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK), publishers of the Book of African Records, blending financial literacy, Pan-Africanism, and curriculum-based learning into the competition.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe CEO Mr. Sam Matsekete and INSTAK CEO Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi joined Prof. Mavima in celebrating the students’ achievements, reinforcing the quiz’s role in shaping Zimbabwe’s future leaders.