Book of African Records On for Top Quiz Master

Book of African Records On for Top Quiz Master

The search for a quizmaster for this year's school's quiz competition has begun with organisers saying all is set for the tournament.

The schools quiz is being organised by the Book of African Records, a Zimbabwe-based project that collects and documents the greatest achievements by Africans and Africa.

Errol Muzawazi, editor-in-chief of the Book of African Records, said a suitable candidate to conduct the tournament would be announced before the start of the competition later this month.

"We are delighted to announce that the search for the schools quizmaster for the tournament is now on and interested candidates should contact us so that we have enough time to select the suitable person before the start of the preliminary rounds later this month," Muzawazi said.

He said the tournament was an empowering tool educationally and aimed at inspiring the young to know about their country.

"As an institution that focuses on African records, we make it no secret that our quiz will be very much afro-centric, promoting general knowledge mainly on Zimbabwe and Africa.

"Don't forget that world civilisation began here in Africa as Egypt can show. The oldest archaeological evidence on the science of counting was found on a mountain in Swaziland.

"And the very first university lecture in world history was delivered in Africa. In this regard, and unapologetically, we say first with the knowledge on Africa. Charity begins at home," he said.

The 2013 edition will be targeted at schools with Advanced Level while the 2014 edition will be more inclusive, bringing to television a primary schools' quiz, a high schools' quiz, a universities' quiz as well as a quiz for the general public.

The new quiz tournament is a collaborative effort with ZBCTV and the 2013 national finals will

be broadcast on ZBCTV for 26 weeks during prime time.

For the 2013 edition, the first prize, courtesy of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Washington Mbizvo, are a scholarship to any State university in Zimbabwe for each member of the winning team.

This means by winning the national final, the team members automatically win a university place without paying the tuition fees and also receiving a stipend for living expenses for the duration of their studies.

A consolation prize for the runners-up, to be sponsored by the Book of African Records, is an educational trip to the Egyptian Pyramids whereas the third-placed team will get a trip to Victoria Falls, sponsored by Khanondo Safaris.

The quiz contents will run first at provincial level in June where the top four finalists from each province proceed to the national final.

According to the entry rules, a school in Zimbabwe can field only one team for the provincial group stages.

The national finals will be held in August.