By McGeorge Mbare
THE Zimbabwean representative, Oakleigh House Trust School, has arrived back in Beitbridge after participating in the 2026 Grand Finals of the World Robotics Championship, held at Beijing University of Technology in China.
Oakleigh House produced an impressive performance, finishing third overall, behind host nation China in second place and North Korea, which emerged as the 2026 winners.
A total of 10 schools from different countries participated in the competition, with five African countries namely Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt and Zimbabwe represented.
Zimbabwe was represented by Oakleigh House, which finished as the best performing African team, outclassing the other African representatives.
The competition provided both teachers and students with valuable exposure to advanced robotics and technology.
Some members of the team said the experience highlighted the significant technological gap between Africa and more developed countries.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network, Lindani Sibanda, the Oakleigh House patron for both the junior and senior teams, said the delegation had an unforgettable experience in Beijing.
“We had a great learning atmosphere and good exposure for our kids. We were happy that we finished third out of 10 countries, but what made us proud is that we outclassed our fellow Africans,” Sibanda said.
For the students, the competition was an opportunity to witness technological advancements that they had previously only encountered through learning materials and online platforms.
Nhlanhla Simango, a Grade 7 learner, said she was amazed by the level of robotics and technology demonstrated by students from other countries.
“I was so amazed by the robots and technology that I saw. These first-world countries outclassed us from the beginning,” Simango said.
Another Grade 7 learner, Tylaor Makoni, said the experience had exceeded his expectations. He was particularly struck by the level of technological advancement displayed during the competition.
Makoni said the experience made him realise the significant technological gap between Africa and countries such as China.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education also played a role in supporting Oakleigh House’s preparations for the international competition.
The ministry referred the school to Robokorda Africa, which provided the team with additional insights and technical support ahead of the Grand Finals in China.
A coach from Robokorda Africa, Brian Kampeu, was assigned to assist the students with their preparation and innovation processes.
Kampeu said working with the young innovators had been a rewarding experience and praised the team for its performance.
“We had a great experience, and I managed to help with what I could offer for the kids to master the game of robotics. Overall, they did their best, and I hope they had a good learning curve,” Kampeu said.
The return from China marks another milestone for Oakleigh House, which continues to expose its learners to international robotics competitions and technological innovation.
Following their impressive performance in China, Oakleigh House is already looking ahead to next year’s competition tour, with Singapore set to be their next destination.