Harare, Zimbabwe (Jan 19 2007)

ZIMBABWE has assembled a team of top scientists which will showcase the country's scientific innovations and technological capacity at the African Union Summit of heads of state and governments scheduled to open this week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Zimbabwe Minister of Science and Technology Development Dr Olivia Muchena told The Herald that the team comprised individuals from institutions that had projects and programmes which met the criteria and guidelines which were set by the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa.

She said the team which will represent the country at the exhibition which will be held under the theme: "Science and Technology for Africa's Economic Development' included Engineer John Mberi and Mr Richard Mberi of Afrosoft Engineering, Dr Samuel Muchena of the African Centre for Fertiliser Development, Mr Tongesayi Murambiwa and Mrs Linda Murambiwa of e-Hurudza.

Mr Wilbert Mubaiwa of the Industrial Development Corporation, Mr Lovemore Mukono and Mr Jairos Mushirivindi of Mukonitronics and Dr Robson Mafoti, Dr Xavier Francis Carelse and Ms Constance Chinamora of the Scientific Industrial Research and Development Centre (Sirdic) were also part of the team.

"The Zimbabwe government remains committed to developing science and technology in Zimbabwe. By showcasing our talents at the exhibition we are also showing the world the talent, potential and skills Zimbabweans have in the field of science and Technology," Dr Muchena said.

The main summit of the heads of state and governments will focus on science, technology and innovation as the driving force for the sustainable socio-economic development of Africa.

On the sidelines of this summit, the Science and Technology Exhibition will showcase an assortment of Africa's science and technology inventions and innovations.

The African Ministerial Council for Science and Technology declaration in Cairo, Egypt last November recommended that the upcoming AU summit dedicate and declare 2007 as "The Year of Science, Technology and Innovation."

During the course of this year, African governments are expected to launch programmes and mechanisms to popularise science and technology.

Despite financial constraints the Zimbabwe government has over the years demonstrated its commitment and support to scientific and technological achievements at policy, institutional and individual level.

The country boasts of having developed the Great Zimbabwe Monument using stones without mortar, developed the first maize seed hybrid (SR52), the drought tolerant AC31 and AC 71 dwarf maize varieties, the now universally acclaimed Blair Toilet, the scientific laboratory and teaching equipment (SLATE) for effective teaching of basic sciences, ICT programmes such as e-Hurudza and z-banking.

The Ministry of Science and Technology Development said all this demonstrated the scientific and technological achievements, capabilities and talents of Zimbabweans.

Below the Herald gives a brief profile of the achievements of the team which will showcase Zimbabwe's innovations and capabilities at the AU summit in Ethiopia.

Afrosoft Engineering
A Zimbabwean company which has managed to break the monopoly of transnational companies in the field of software development in the country's ICT sector. The company developed a fully integrated banking system for the local and regional market, a Pension Fund Management System being used by two institutions, a Health Insurance System.

This ICT firm also has the Local Authorities System for both local and urban councils and more than 20 local authorities were now using this system.

Afrosoft successfully introduced the Railway Wagon Tracking System at the National Railways of Zimbabwe and immigration system at the Beitbridge border post with South Africa.

This computer technology firm has developed an Electricity Demand-side Management System that has the potential to enhance efficient energy utilisation.

African Centre for Fertiliser Development (ACFD)
The centre was established by the African Union in the 1990s and has over the years under the leadership of Dr Samuel Muchena managed to the AC31 and AC71 drought resistant maize crop varieties which requires less fertiliser and rain. This maize variety is on demand in Zimbabwe and in the Sadc region as it addresses challenges of lack fertilisers, droughts and food security.

eHurudza Corporation
Formed in 2003, eHurudza has developed a computer software tailor-made for the Zimbabwean farmer to enhance their farming operations. It targets commercial and communal farmers. The software package is now being used by more than 167 users and the brand covers crops, beef, farm administration system, poultry and accounting.

Industrial Development Corporation
IDC through its real estate arm –Sunway City Harare is involved in the planning and development of an integrated residential, commercial and industrial parks in the capital. The integrated parks are made up of factory shells, commercial offices, cluster homes for workers engaged in activities of the park, and technology buildings.

Mukonitronics
A leading Zimbabwean company which designs and manufactures industrial power electronic products in the country for both the local and the export market.

The range of products of Mukonitronics include power electronics for mining, power generation and transmission, electricity distribution, telecommunications and railway and industrial automation for the power sector.

For information technology sector, the firm produces lighting and power surge control protectors, data surge protectors and constant voltage regulators.

It also produces electronic ballast for flouroscent lights and fittings.

Scientific Industrial and Research Development Centre (Sirdic)
This is an apex and national centre of excellence in Zimbabwe for scientific research in more than 11 areas of scientific specialisation. Some of the major areas of study include, building and technology, informatics, biotechnology, metullargical research, business operations, food and biotechnology, environment and remote sensing, production and engineering and electronic and communication.

At the summit, Sirdic will showcase Sirtech Investment products and the SLATE package which has laboratory equipment for the basic teaching of science. Sirdic also produces foundry products and roofing tiles.

Innovations at Sirdic can be replicated throughout the continent to help industrialise Africa which is now realising the importance of science and technology for its economic growth.

Africa has over the years produced a number of high profile and gifted scientists who have gone to conquer the world through their intellectual capabilities and innovations.

Phillip Emeagwali (supercomputer), Prof Francis Kofi Allotey's Allotey Formalism technique used to calculate matter in outer space, Prof Christopher Chetsanga's discovery of enzymes that enhanced the understanding of cancer and many others have shaped and influenced the development science worldwide.

Black people are rarely recognised and hopefully the upcoming AU summit will help raise the profile of African scientists and pledge to enhance their talents through financial and material support.

Accepting his BTWSC award for 2006, Ghanaian scientist and mathematician, Prof Allotey was quoted by the New African noting a point made by a British scientist, Prof J Dyson that: "Technology is a gift of God. After the gift of life, it is perhaps the greatest of God's gifts. It is the mother of civilisations of arts and of science.

"Technology continues to grow and to liberate mankind from the constraints of the past. The most revolutionary aspect of technology is its mobility. Anybody can learn it. It jumps easily over the barriers of race and language."