Zimbabwe

Bathabile Dlamini is a communications and storytelling professional passionate about shaping narratives that drive accountability, amplify citizen voices, and inspire social change across Africa. With over five years of experience spanning governance, humanitarian work, and public health, she brings strategic communication, creative storytelling, and community engagement.

As Regional Media and Communications Officer for Accountability Lab East and Southern Africa (ALESA), Bathabile leads communication strategies that strengthen digital governance and accountability movements across the region. Her work sits at the intersection of media, art, and activism, using multimedia storytelling — from documentaries to digital campaigns — to influence policy and shift public discourse.

She has trained young creatives in digital advocacy and previously worked with Internews, Habakkuk Trust, and the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe, producing multimedia content and supporting large-scale advocacy initiatives. An award-winning documentary producer, she has received National Arts Merit Awards for her work in film and theater.

Bathabile is the founder of Community Connect Trust, dedicated to strengthening civic participation. She holds a master's in journalism and media studies and continues to explore how storytelling can bridge gaps between citizens and power. 

Chido is a final-year Information Systems student at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe, passionate about ensuring equal and meaningful access to technology for all. With a strong interest in how technology can be used as a tool for social impact, she is committed to empowering under-resourced communities to participate meaningfully in the digital space. She has led an initiative called "My Village's Information Center," which sought to decentralize access to digital knowledge and skills. In 2023, this project won the Global Change in Education Award from RoundTable Global and the Global Youth Awards.

Chido has applied knowledge gained by mentoring peers and encouraging the use of digital tools for education and empowerment. Currently, she serves as a community manager at SheDevs Zimbabwe, a women-in-technology community that aims to address the structural barriers that limit participation in tech by providing resource and training. Looking ahead, Chido aspires to be a leader in the field of information technology specializing in cybersecurity while focusing on digital transformation and technology solutions.

Joshua Anthony Masundah is a young and dynamic transformational leader driven by a deep commitment to creating lasting, positive change within Zimbabwean communities and across Africa. He founded STEER AFRICA, an initiative focused on mentoring and empowering young people for both professional and personal growth, bridging the gap between untapped potential and life-changing opportunities. A distinguished alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and the Higherlife Foundation, Joshua’s journey reflects a consistent pursuit of excellence and impact. His passion for youth development is further demonstrated through his work with Student Connect Trust (SCOT), where he serves as a facilitator and volunteer, equipping young people with essential life skills, career guidance, and leadership capabilities. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to community advancement, Joshua was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Young Alumni Award by the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe in 2023. Beyond his leadership and mentorship work, Joshua is also a gifted musician and multi-instrumentalist, embodying creativity alongside purpose. 

Kelvin Bimha is a civic engagement practitioner and youth leadership advocate with a background in human settlement, spatial planning, and urban governance. After his Global UGRAD semester, he founded The Inspired Boys Initiative, a rites-of-passage and leadership platform dedicated to equipping young men with the values, skills, and mindset needed for responsible citizenship and purposeful leadership for life. Through The Inspired Boys, Kelvin designs and leads mentorship programs, workshops, and storytelling-driven engagements that focus on character development, civic responsibility, public speaking, and personal growth. His work emphasizes early intervention, positive identity formation, and community-driven impact.

In addition to his grassroots leadership, Kelvin has contributed to climate governance and civic dialogue through his work with Global Impact Initiative, where he supported program coordination and moderated discussions on democratic participation and decision-making. He previously contributed to national research programs with the University of Zimbabwe, and is currently pursuing a master’s of public administration and policy, focusing on civic leadership and governance innovation.

Simbarashe is a final-year engineering scholar dedicated to bridging the digital divide across the SADC region. As the founder of The Simba AI Nexus, he has successfully orchestrated the mobilization of $250,000 in institutional funding to facilitate entry into global STEM education.

His work sits at the critical intersection of AI engineering and cognitive development. Recognizing the psychological and technical barriers to AI adoption in rural Zimbabwe, Simbarashe developed a specialized curriculum focusing on AI ethics, cognitive response, and practical classroom integration. Through The Simba AI Nexus, he is pioneering a 'Human-AI Coexistence' framework that empowers rural communities to lead, rather than just follow, in the automated economy. A committed advocate for digital sovereignty, Simbarashe is focused on ensuring that the next generation of African innovators is equipped with the technical competence and ethical grounding to shape the global digital future.

Tanyaradzwa is a metallurgical engineer based in Harare, Zimbabwe, with hands on experience in mineral processing, chemical analysis and method validation in the mining and laboratory sector. She has worked at Performance Laboratories and completed internships and practical training at Hwange Colliery Company Limited, giving her strong technical grounding in industrial grade testing and quality control.

She is actively engaged in strategic management research and is pursuing a master’s degree in strategic management and corporate governance to strengthen her impact in organizational leadership and institutional development. Her interests span metallurgy, research, data analysis, academic writing and business‑model thinking, and she champions the empowerment of women in mining and broader professional spaces.

Tanyaradzwa has served as a DREAMS Ambassador with Zimbabwe Health Interventions, contributing to youth‑focused HIV prevention programs. She has also been a member of the Team Europe Youth Sounding Board and the Restless Development Zimbabwe National Executive Board Committee, using these platforms to strengthen youth participation and community‑based development initiatives.

Tinashe Madamombe is a communications specialist and digital storyteller. Her work focuses on designing and leading multi-country campaigns across Africa that advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, using creative, audience-centered approaches to drive social and policy change.

She has worked across Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and the United States, and is passionate about using storytelling to amplify voices and shift narratives on issues affecting young people and women. Tinashe is also the founder of community-focused initiatives that equip young women with creative and practical skills through fashion, storytelling, mental wellbeing, and digital learning.

Tinashe is an Ireland-Africa Fellow and part of a growing network of young African leaders committed to community impact and collaboration. In 2025, she was recognized as one of Zimbabwe’s 40 Under 40 Communicators for her leadership and contribution to the communications field. She also serves on the boards of the U.S. Alumni Exchange Association and the Zimbabwe German Society, contributing to alumni engagement and cultural exchange initiatives.