Zimbabwe defies gravity to join the big boys in space

ZIMSAT-2, which we hope to launch quite soon, will give us additional capabilities, including in the critical field of communications.

Once up, ZIMSAT-2 will enable total national connectivity, thus making ICT and other communication applications pervasive handmaidens in National Development. This is a key goal of our NDS1, indeed a key enabler to our goal of achieving universal education steeped in science and technology.

Monday’s development also has deep, far-reaching symbolism for our Nation. It symbolises a young Nation dreaming; a young Nation defying gravity to join the big boys in exploiting the hitherto exclusive space economy. It symbolises our soaring ambition, but one firmly grounded in realism and practicalities. What we say we set out to do, we will do! And in the quest to attain our Vision, no goal should be beyond our reach, for as long as we remain focused and united as a people.

In ZIMSAT-1, Zimbabwe now has its own Star of David; it must symbolise a Nation always looking up, forward and beyond, all to soar higher and higher until it catches up with the rest of developed mankind. Nothing should put us down; nothing should draw us back, in all we set out to do.

ZIMSAT emboldens our community of scientists; emboldens them to strive to reach higher domains of technological excellence and innovation. As your President, I make this one commitment: no Zimbabwean with ideas and keen to invent and innovate will go without funding.

My Administration is ready to walk you along, pick you up when you fall, motivate you to pick yourself up and do more, until your idea becomes a scientific reality, a technological product. Does national legend not remind us that our Varozvi – the architects of the Great Zimbabwe Civilisation – made a great shot at reaching the moon, in their own unique way? Was their goal not to grab the moon and make it a holy plate for their King?

They may not have accomplished that feat; but they dared to dream, thereby imparting into our national DNA the spirit of scientific inquiry and “venturesomeness’”. That spirit must now take total control, so that through the innovation hubs we continue to set up at various State Universities and Polytechnics, we conceive, invent, develop, patent and commercialise various technologies, for the industrialisation and modernisation of our Nation and Africa.

Who ever thought we could manufacture medical oxygen? Who ever thought we could develop our own personal protective equipment (PPEs)? Yet we now do. We have developed many new technologies, a number of which are now at commercialisation stage. In due course, the Nation will know.

The Second Republic will be a dependable partner in this national endeavour, whose journey has just begun. Well done ZINGSA; well done our scientists, both budding and established. Indeed, thank you our international partners. Zimbabwe is set to venture and conquer new domains and spaces, through mastering science, innovation and technology.

By President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the Sunday Mail

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