The United States Department Of State has named two youth enterpreneurs Simbarashe Mhungu and Limbikani Makani to represent the country at the 2012 Innovation Summit to be held in Washington next week.
The two will also participate in a two-week professional development programme sponsored by the US State Department in partnership with the Meridian International Center.
31-year old Makani is the founder and managing director of Technology Zimbabwe, a company that has now become a leading voice on technology issues and local technology creation and venture capital investment.
Mhungu, 32 , is the managing director of Harvest Fresh an indigenous company specializing in food processing and agribusiness. Mhungu attained his undergraduate business degree from Howard University in Washington DC before working for gold and Sachs in New York. He relocated to Zimbabwe a fews ago to start his own business.
The two will meet U-S Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton and 58 other young African leaders while in the United States. Part of their programme will expose them to high powered business excutives in their relevant fields and will also give them an apportunity to work as interns with US companies and non-profit organisations.
The summit is part of US President Barack Obama’s long term program to engage Africa’s young leaders who are actively promoting positive change in their communities.
Counselor for Public Affairs at the us Embassy in Harare Sharon Hudson-Dean tells studio seven’s Marvellous Mhlanga Nyahuye the two were chosen for their track record of using innnovation and an entrepreneurial spirit to create positive change in society.
"The programme will also give them ideas and contacts to help boost them to the next level of indigenous business achievement,''added Hudson-Dean.
Makani says he is counting on Zimbabwe’s youth to take information technology innovations to a new level in improving the lives of those around them.
