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Flora Fadzai Sibanda
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For most children in Bulawayo, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) — the country’s flagship trade event — is an annual highlight and meeting place outside of the formal school environment.

Ever-curious leaders of tomorrow get to ask company and agency representatives questions about their goods, services and employment opportunities.

Inside the venue of the fair — the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre — and around the city, ZITF week comes with lots of fun in the form of amusement parks and virtual reality gaming.

Children get to see the President, visiting Heads of State, and other national leaders. They can also attend the official opening where they get to enjoy the mass displays by schools and the security sector.

Most children in rural areas, however, miss out on all the fun and exposure. They know about the fair but are unable to join in on the fun.

But thanks to Cimas, a medical service provider, over 80 students from rural areas this week had the opportunity to attend the ZITF and experience what it means to be part of an international event. The students, from both primary and secondary schools, are from Matabeleland North, as well as Mashonaland West and East provinces.

Earlier in the week, Mr Vulindlela Ndlovu, the Cimas chief executive, told the ZITF Business Conference that he started attending the fair when he was six years old, exposure which he believes inspired interest in what was happening around the country and networking.

Visiting the ZITF at a tender age, Mr Ndlovu told the conference, made it easy for him to get where he is today.
“Inspired by my own experiences, this year we have invited 80 children from rural schools to come and experience the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. I really hope this will be a beneficial experience for them and will allow them a chance to experience some careers which they never thought they would take part in.

“We are inviting the business community to join us in the near future so that more schools are invited,” he said.
Saturday Chronicle caught up with some of the students who could not hide their excitement after Cimas covered all costs, including transport, accommodation and food.

Mehluli Sibanda, a 13-year-old student from Jotsholo in Matabeleland North Province, said the fair was a unique experience.
“I have never seen so many people in my life. Not to mention the airplanes that were speeding in the sky.

I can never forget the soldiers who were nice and let us get into their helicopters and, oh yes, I also got to see the Presidential cars speeding with the soldiers clearing the way so that the President could pass. I never thought I would see the President at such close range,” he said.

Mehluli was accompanied by 40 school pupils from Jotsholo High School and Indlovu Primary School.
The students arrived on Thursday evening and spent the whole of yesterday touring stands around the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre.

They camped at Eveline High School where they slept and had their breakfast.
For Mehluli, it was his first time attending the fair and visiting the second-largest city. He said it was great exposure for him, not only because he got to see the city, but he also got inspired as he saw different careers, especially at the Air Force of Zimbabwe where he would love to work.

“When my teacher told us we were going to Bulawayo, I was scared as I thought people here are not nice, but after spending my day here, I am happy with what I saw. I also learned a lot under Heritage Studies, and I know once I go back to school, I will apply what I was taught today,” he said.

Another student who showed great excitement about attending the fair was 18-year-old Silungile Khumalo. She said she had enjoyed sleeping on comfortable beds and the mouth-watering breakfast they were given. Seeing a lot of young people at university stands has inspired her to work harder at school.

“If it were up to me, I would not eat anything for a few days so that the food in my body is not removed. I am currently doing my form four at Jotsholo High School, and this was really a great exposure because seeing people who are girls yet doing so many great things has made me realise how it is possible even for people of our gender.

I hope next year, I will get such great exposure again so that I will be able to see more beautiful things,” said Silungile.
Dicken Ncube, a form four student at Jotsholo High School, said the whole experience was a push he never knew he needed. He saw students younger than him exhibiting and showing off some projects they are doing.

Although it was a great exposure, it also made him question why children from his area are not doing the same and creating innovations that can be exhibited at the ZITF.

“To me, I got to realise that we are not doing much in making sure that we create our own innovations. Most of the innovations done were made using things that are easily available like cardboard, and that is why I am saying as students from rural areas, we should also start thinking outside the box and create things that are unique and different. This trip has really inspired me, and I hope to work harder so that I can also exhibit my own projects next year,” said Dicken.