The Old Mutual High School Quiz 2023, the longest-running quiz competition for schools in Zimbabwe, concluded with a thrilling finale in Harare last weekend. Marist Brothers High School from Matabeleland North emerged as the champions, beating nine other provincial winners with a score of 48 points.
The quiz, which began in September with 220 schools from all 10 provinces of the country, tested the students’ knowledge on various subjects, including financial literacy, entrepreneurship, African heritage, history and geography. The theme of the quiz was “Unleashing knowledge, and shaping future leaders”.
The runners-up were Zengeza High 1 from Chitungwiza with 36 points, followed by Goromonzi and Pamushana from Mashonaland East and Masvingo with 33 and 30 points respectively.
The quiz was sponsored by Old Mutual Zimbabwe, the country’s largest financial services group, which has been supporting the competition since its inception in 1986. The sponsor said the quiz was part of its responsible business mandate and its education pillar, which aims to create a knowledge-sharing platform for young minds and to ignite their creativity and innovation.
“At Old Mutual, we firmly believe in the power of education. It is not merely about acquiring facts and figures, but about igniting the fire of creativity and innovation within you,” said Old Mutual Zimbabwe Group Chief Operations Officer, Isiah Mashinya.
“That is why we have taken the initiative to blend the knowledge you acquire in school with financial literacy and entrepreneurship. We want to equip you with the skills and mindset to navigate the ever-changing world and turn your dreams into reality.
Mashinya added: “Education is not confined to the walls of a classroom. It is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The High School Quiz is not just a competition, it is an opportunity to showcase your brilliance, to learn from one another, and to inspire those around you.”
The quiz also received praise from the government, which said it was in line with the new curriculum that aims to nurture versatile and multi-dimensional learners who can excel after leaving school.
Speaking at the event, Primary and Secondary education deputy minister Angeline Gata applauded Old Mutual and Book of African Records for teaming up with her ministry to bring vibrancy to the education process by deploying vast resources without the motivation of profit.
“The role played by intellectual sports such as quiz, in this case a Pan African one, does not only aid to the quest for a curriculum that unlocks value in the learning process but also in the preservation of our heritage, achievements, history and geography of Africa,” she said.
She added: “It is in this regard that I commend non-state actors like Old Mutual and Book of African Records who have done this for the last 37 years. I recommend the corporate sector to take a leaf from this plausible model of being a responsible member of the community.”
The winners of the quiz received trophies, medals, certificates and cash prizes from Old Mutual Zimbabwe. They also qualified for the Pan African High School Quiz Championship, which will be held next year in South Africa.
