Blessing Mashoko, Author at MSU Incubation Hub

The Midlands State University Incubation Hub set the ball rolling on Wednesday 17 October 2018 by launching its two inaugural products.

The products launched were roofing and tiling materials from innovators called Noble Savages and a green revolution innovation of Seed Balls from Evergreen Solutions.

Noble Savages represented by Msindazwe Ndhlovu and Tsepang Khumalo have come up with an advanced version of roofing tiles and pavers made out of recycled plastic with the distinct advantages of being lighter, stronger, cheaper and resultantly leading to the creation of a safe and greener world. For more information on the innovation, follow the link :

On the other hand, Evergreen Solutions represented by Stuart Kwenda and Tapfuma Mutema launched Seed Balls which are seeds coated in a combination of nutrients and binder forming balls which are easy to disperse for germination. For more information on For more information on the innovation, follow the link :

Speaking during the launch, the guest of honour, Professor D. Z. Moyo, the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Academic Affairs said, ‘the primary mandate of the Hub is to promote research, technology and innovation based on entrepreneurship through incubation and networking. It is our expectation that new start-up companies will setup and thereby accelerate technology transfer to industry and the nation’.

The inaugural product launch is a great stride towards achieving the vision of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, championed by the Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, which seeks to build a national culture of performance for the growth of the economy through modernization and industrialization.

The launch was attended by various corporate players among them Nyaradzo, the Forestry Commission, Environmental Management Authority and Steward Bank who are collaborating with the MSU Incubation Hub.

Also in attendance was the Director of the MSU Incubation Hub, Dr Patience Siwadi together with various faculty deans and members of the University community.

In a historic development that is set to transform the University’s research trajectory and set the tone for national research aspirations, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chancellor of all State Universities, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday 6 June 2018 officially opened the Midlands State University Incubation Hub.

The Incubation Hub, is the first of five other such facilities that are expected to be established by August 2018 at selected state universities that are piloting the concept. The Incubation Hub, which was born out of the 100/200 day action plan initiated by Government through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology Development, is designed to support the country’s industrialisation and modernisation efforts.

In his address, the President, commended Midlands State University for ‘daring to venture into an idea, which is bound to have a far-reaching influence and impact in Zimbabwe’ and called on universities to ensure that research is transformative and provides practical solutions to real problems.

Research, ‘must speak to our problems, be relevant, usable, practical and transform our lives to advance economic development. Research and Development must further speak to our aspirations to modernize our agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, health and education sectors, among others, said President Mnangagwa.

The President went on to reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the development of science and technology as enshrined in the 2008 SADC Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation, which calls on member states to allocate at least 1% of their GDP to support research and development. He said, Government would ensure that 1% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product is channelled to research and development.

President Mnangagwa, also urged would-be users of the incubation hub to undertake robust, relevant, qualitative and quantitative research that addresses and provides answers to issues of national significance.

Incubation hubs, according to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Development, Professor Amon Murwira are meant to ‘enable active knowledge transfer between researchers and business experts, on the one hand, and industry as well as government on the other hand’.

The Minister’s sentiments were also shared by the Midlands State University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Victor N. Muzvidziwa, who said the MSU Incubation Hub was the centrepiece connecting research, innovation, technology and the commercialisation value-chain.

The incubation hub will not only benefit the University’s researchers and academia but also members of the public from all walks of life that have ideas and innovations that can contribute to socio-economic development at local, provincial and national levels.

The official opening of the incubation hub was also graced by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Midlands Province, Cde Owen Ncube, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Cde July Moyo, Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Dr Desire Sibanda, ZIMCHE Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Evelyn Garwe and MSU Acting Chairperson Mrs Patience Makura among others.

In the words of three acclaimed poets on the day from Senga Primary School, who reiterated the new dispensation mantra, indeed ‘the Hub is Open for Business’.

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