Conversations with the Dreamers with Petronella Munhenzva📚

Conversations with the Dreamers: Dr Anotida Chikumbu

Dr. Anotida Chikumbu is an Assistant Professor of African History at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, USA. He previously studied and taught in the department of history and the writing program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, USA where he also worked as an assistant to the editor in chief at the University of Massachusetts Press. He is also a member of the Military Welfare History Network (MWHN) at the University College Dublin in Ireland. In 2022, he was a Society for Military History inaugural fellow at the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Chikumbu previously studied and taught Economic history at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare. His broader research interest is the history of Southern Africa and the United States. He is particularly interested in histories of slavery and resistance, colonialism, apartheid and nationalism, civil rights and liberation movements, military welfare, war veterans, assassinations, military coup d'états, post-conflict reconstruction, peace building, elections and presidential leadership. His scholarship includes single-authored journal articles, book chapters, book reviews, newspaper articles, podcasts, documentary films, critical commentaries, and numerous conference presentations. His latest single authored research paper, "The Forgotten Narratives," was published by Brill in the International Journal of Military History and Historiography. Chikumbu is the producer of the Anotida Chikumbu - BOOK SERIES, the most prestigious interdisciplinary live television podcast show in academia. This program is sponsored by Global South Opportunities.

Conversations with the Dreamers: Enet Mukurazita

Enet Mukurazita is a seasoned higher education professional with over 10 years of experience in academic advising, student success, and leadership development across U.S. and African contexts. Currently an Academic Skills Coach at the University of Minnesota’s College of Pharmacy, she specializes in supporting underrepresented, first-generation, rural, and international students in STEM and health sciences. Her approach is holistic, equity-driven, and grounded in Ubuntu philosophy. Previously, she led youth education initiatives as Director of Young Africa in Zimbabwe and founded Alimah International to promote global learning and women’s leadership in higher education. Enet holds a Master’s in Sustainable International Development (Brandeis), an MBA (Zimbabwe Open University), and a BA (Trinity Western, Canada). She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, researching Ubuntu epistemology in rural entrepreneurship. An accomplished educator and thought leader, Enet has developed impactful academic transition programs, served as a reviewer and selection panelist for U.S. State Department initiatives, and presented widely on African learning frameworks. Her accolades include a TEDx talk, multiple fellowships, and her recent publication African Indigenous Learning Theory (Routledge, 2024). She is deeply committed to advancing educational equity and nurturing the next generation of global changemakers. You can find her: 🔗 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/enet-mukurazita-ma-mba-tedx-speaker-ivlp-37017a322?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app 🔖 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1DkkwjTZXa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Conversations with the Dreamers: David Chikwaza

David is the founder of Future Africa International (FAI) and Global South Opportunities (GSO). FAI empowers African youth through climate action, leadership development, and entrepreneurship, while GSO connects individuals in the Global South to global opportunities such as scholarships, jobs, internships, and free online courses. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Dublin City University, where his research explores the intersection of Indigenous Local Knowledge (ILK) and Western Scientific Knowledge (WSK) in agricultural climate change adaptation within indigenous and rural communities. David is actively involved in global climate and youth leadership initiatives. He is an alumnus of the 2023 United Nations Graduate Study Programme, a Climate Ambassador for the Global Youth Climate Network, and a member of GOAL’s NextGen Youth Network, the DCU Climate and Society initiative, and the Global Youth AI Advisory Body. His work and research are driven by a deep commitment to youth development, climate action, food security, sustainable livelihoods, Pan-Africanism, Agenda 2063, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and action research.

Conversations with the Dreamers: Dr Ethel Mupambwa

Dr Ethel Chiwara Mupambwa is a Zimbabwean financial inclusion pioneer and founder of MoneyMart Finance Group, established in 2014. She holds a BCom (Hons) in Finance from NUST, is a Certified Digital Finance Practitioner (Tufts/Fletcher), and earned a Doctorate in Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship. 🎯 What She Does • Leading Zimbabwe’s fastest‑growing digital microfinance group over 35 branches, ~10,000 active clients (70% women), $25 million disbursed. • Offers tailored loans from daily/weekly repayments to solar energy financing, micro‑insurance, school fees, and asset finance. • Champions digital finance, enabling clients to apply and manage funds via WhatsApp, USSD, mobile wallets, even distributing smartphones on credit. 🌍 Social & Sustainable Impact • Served over 10,000 micro‑entrepreneurs (70% female) and created more than 30,000 jobs. • Distributed over 3,000 pay‑as‑you‑go solar systems, enhancing energy access and educational time in rural communities. • Actively advances UN SDGs: poverty relief (1), gender equality (5), clean energy (7), and economic growth through financial literacy and tailored financial tools. 🏅 Recognition & Awards • 2020: Jack Ma’s Africa Business Heroes – 2nd Runner-Up. • 2021 & 2022: Zimbabwe Businesswoman of the Year.

Conversations with the Dreamers: Eziuka Healing Chinyere

Eziuka Healing Chinyere is a 23-year-old nursing student at the University of Jos, Nigeria, and the founder of the Victorious Rhema Family Foundation, an NGO established in 2018 to support orphans, widows, and other vulnerable individuals, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Driven by a passion to combat poverty and hunger (aligned with SDGs 1 and 2), her foundation has organized numerous humanitarian and medical outreaches across several Nigerian states. Eziuka has received 18 awards for her humanitarian work, including Plateau State’s 2022 Best Humanitarian Service award. She has also volunteered at Godiya Clinic, where she gained hands-on healthcare experience, further developing her leadership, communication, and caregiving skills. This is the link to her website: Victoriousrhema.org