The Sunday Mail
Tendai Chara
TADIWANASHE Mavetera, who shattered academic records after attaining 10As in the 2022 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) tests, is a typical nerd.
Apparently, growing up, the 19-year-old was fascinated by animated movies or cartoons.
He was particularly addicted to the computer-animated television series “The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius”.
In this cartoon, the main character is James Isaac Neutron, an intelligent 11-year-old boy who has a knack for inventions.
“Dexter’s Laboratory” was another animated television series that piqued his fancy.
The main character, Dexter, is also a child genius who whips up dazzling, world-saving inventions in his secret laboratory.
Watching these two cartoons introduced Mavetera to the world of Quantum Physics, which is the study of the behaviour of matter and energy at molecular, atomic, nuclear and even smaller microscopic levels.
“These two cartoons introduced me to Quantum Physics. Each time I watched the main characters in the movies coming up with inventions, I told myself that one day, I was going to come up with my own inventions,” he told The Sunday Mail Society.
Determined to be another “James Isaac Neutron”, the former Ruya Adventist High School learner did the unthinkable as he sat and passed 10 Advanced Level subjects — Accounting, Mechanical Mathematics, Business Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Economics.
Advanced Level learners ordinarily sit three subjects. However, his decision to take 10 A-Level subjects was to enhance chances of getting a scholarship to study Quantum Physics in the United States.
He has since applied for a place to study Physics and Computer Science at an American university.
“I am patiently awaiting a positive answer from the university. I missed the application deadline and asked for an extension. If my application is successful, I will begin my studies in September,” he said.
After completing the degree in Physics and Computer Science, he intends to study towards a Master’s degree in Quantum Physics.
American universities, he added, could make his dream of becoming an inventor come true.
“American universities have proper research facilities and highly qualified Quantum Physics lecturers. The universities also have financial resources for quantum technology research.”
He has an unusual message for parents and guardians: They should let their kids watch “as many cartoons as possible”.
“In my view, films and cartoons can be a very rich source of inspiration. Were it not for the cartoons, I would have chosen a different career path. Parents should allow their children to watch films and allow them to explore.”
