DEVELOPING A PRODUCTIVE MINDSET IN WOMEN SCIENTISTS: Miss Siphathisiwe Moyo
October 17, 2020
MAKING ZIMBABWE THE BREAD BASKET OF AFRICA : The question evoked thoughts in women that they are the solution Zimbabwe needs to be the breadbasket of Africa
DEVELOPING A PRODUCTIVE MINDSET IN WOMEN SCIENTISTS: MAKING ZIMBABWE THE BREAD BASKET OF AFRICA.
On the 22nd of July 2020, Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World Zimbabwe National Chapter hosted a talk on, ‘Developing a productive mindset in women scientist: Making Zimbabwe the bread basket of Africa’.
Dr. Fidelis Chigondo a friend of the OWSD Zimbabwe National Chapter gave the opening remarks. He acknowledged the presence of Dr. Fiona OWSD International secretariat who also joined the talk for the first time and Professor Babalola the OWSD Africa representative. He also encouraged new members to register with the OWSD International which automatically makes an individual a Zimbabwe member. He also highlighted the people eligible to become members clearly outline the membership categories. These include full members these are women scientists from developing countries who have completed a master’s degree of higher in the natural or social sciences who are committed to objectives of OWSD. The second category is the affiliate members- these are women scientists from developing countries who have completed a bachelor’s degree in the natural or social sciences who are committed to the objectives of the OWSD. Lastly the third category are friends of the OWSD these are women and man from the developing world and developed world with at least an undergraduate degree across all disciplines.
As the presentation the speaker Miss Siphathisiwe Moyo a University lecturer from Harare Institute of Technology and member of the OWSDZNC posed a very crucial question. The question prepared the audience on what she was going to deliver and also helped members come out of their shells. The question evoked thoughts in women that they are the solution Zimbabwe needs to be the breadbasket of Africa. She unpacked a productive mindset defining it as an attitude or an approach or way of thinking that interrogates a person’s approach on how they maximize resources at their disposal to improve lives and how they apply knowledge, skills and desires. She quoted from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Sow a thought, and you reap an action, sow an act and you reap a habit, sow a habit and you reap a character, sow a character and you reap a destiny”. The quote she shared opened the minds of members to look at life and way of living critically so that they yield positive results and be the change they want to be.
To connect with the above, she advised women scientists to think globally and act locally. “What you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass”, indicated Miss Moyo. She also gave the seven P’s of a productive mindset. These include purpose driven, process conscious, partnership seekers, people oriented, possibility seekers, problem solver and passion led. She encouraged women to have a vision and solve problems to be successful in life. She highlighted that women cannot solve problems with the same level of thinking that created them. She also fortified women to be purpose driven so that they don’t walk aimlessly. Aspire to do something great for your family and your country. She concluded with a verse from the book of Philippians 4:8-9 which reads, “fill your minds and meditate on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst, the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
A friend of the OWSDZNC Mr. David Zezai gave the closing remarks. He acknowledged the presence of very important guests on the platform. He also acknowledged the presentation giving highlights on the elaborate and enriching presentation that was given by Miss Siphathisiwe Moyo. Nothing can stop Zimbabweans from making the country a breadbasket of Africa once again. He also accredited OWSDZNC for the great work they have been doing in the different fields. He encouraged women and man to keep partnering and collaborating for a greater impact.
