By McGeorge Mbare
LOBENGULA High School student Edwin Matoma has created a gaming simulator from locally sourced and recycled materials, which he exhibited at the National Annual Science, Sport and Arts Festival (NASSAF) 2026.
The competition was held at Oakleigh House Trust School and St Mary’s High School in Beitbridge from 22 September to 24, 2026.
Matoma is a Form 6 learner at Lobengula High School, where he studies sciences.
He used wood, old water bottles, materials from old fans, a computer mouse, batteries, small cables and plastics to create the gaming controller.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network after presenting his project to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Edwin Mhike , Matoma said he was inspired to develop the project because gaming controllers are expensive in Zimbabwe.
“I chose to make this project because these days PlayStations are expensive, and in my community, people are throwing away waste, causing land pollution. My main focus on this project was to promote innovation in Bulawayo. I also wanted to make a fortune by selling my gaming controller system while, at the same time, helping to clean up the community,” Matoma said.
Speaking during a tour of the exhibitions, Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education Moses Mike hailed the innovation by the Lobengula High School student Matoma .
“This is a top innovation and we need to empower such talent. The boy’s innovation can even help to promote literacy. Such minds mean the 2030 development strategy can be achieved even before we reach 2030 because these are geniuses,” Mhike said.
Mhike also said he would try to facilitate Matoma’s introduction to the National University of Science and Technology.
He said learners who demonstrate innovation should be empowered and attached to institutions such as NUST, where their talents can be nurtured and developed from prototypes into commercially viable products.
Mhike also acknowledged that the heritage based curriculum was playing a significant role in developing learners’ talents both inside and outside the classroom.