Hope Mafiko, an 18-year-old student from Zimbabwe, has secured top honors in the “My Dream” painting competition for African youths, standing out among over 2,000 entrants from across the continent.
The contest, held in March, was a collaborative effort by the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation, the China Manned Space Engineering Office, and various Chinese diplomatic missions in Africa.
Mafiko’s winning entry, titled “One of the Best Interior Architects in Africa,” not only captured the grand Tainhe Award but also achieved the unique distinction of being transported into space aboard China’s Shenzhou-16 spacecraft. Currently, it’s exhibited at the China Space Station, also known as the Tiangong Space Station, as a part of the International Space Exhibition.
This vibrant artwork showcases two African girls gazing at the starry expanse, symbolizing humanity’s eternal fascination with the universe. China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, praised Mafiko’s artwork for its distinctive design and deep meaning, noting that it beautifully captures the shared dream of exploring the universe, irrespective of age, race, or region.
At an awards ceremony in Beijing, Mafiko joined other young talents in receiving accolades for their work. Meanwhile, in Harare, other Zimbabwean winners, including Asa King Zvihari, who clinched the third-place Meng Tian Award, celebrated their achievements at the Chinese embassy. Zvihari’s piece portrayed a united Africa striving collaboratively for progress, encapsulating aspirations of shared resources, trade, and employment opportunities.
Beyond these two, several other Zimbabweans such as Darren Samuel Abraham, Tiller Tatenda Maringa, and Noor Qamar Shahzad, to name a few, were recognized for their outstanding submissions.
Zvihari, reflecting on his journey, acknowledged the challenges he faced: “The path to this award was filled with hurdles. Realizing my vision demanded immense effort.” He expressed gratitude towards his educators and peers, dedicating his accolade to his supportive parents and seeing it as a testament to his dedication and vision.
Highlighting the significance of this event, Painos Gweme, the acting director-general of the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA), emphasized the enthusiasm of Zimbabwean youths, like their African counterparts, in space exploration. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment, through ZINGSA, to nurture this interest and help the next generation reach for the stars.
SOURCE: Newsday
