From Zimbabwe to Eswatini: Robert Selemani’s Resilient Journey to AI Expert

From the dusty fields of a forgotten farming village in Manicaland to a data-driven healthcare facility in Eswatini, Robert Selemani’s journey, shaped by Malawian-Zimbabwean roots, relentless determination, and a borrowed laptop—proves that even the most unlikely beginnings can lead to innovations that touch thousands of lives. For the boy who was sent home term after term for unpaid school fees and taught himself computing on a failing laptop, every line of code Robert writes today is an act of resistance against poverty, invisibility, and the belief that great innovation only starts in places of privilege.

In the quiet corners of a farming hamlet in Zimbabwe, a young boy would gaze at the stars, dreaming of a future far removed from the harsh realities of his surroundings. Robert Selemani, the last of nine children, faced a childhood steeped in struggle, a life where aspirations often collided with the stark limitations of his environment. “I wanted to change my background,” he says in an interview with Impact AI News, reflecting on the daunting obstacles that shaped his early years. “I didn’t want the next generation to live the same life I was living.”

Now aged 28, Robert’s journey began in an environment where resources were as scarce as the dreams that flickered in the eyes of its children. His parents had Malawian roots. “My father was born and grew up in Malawi then moved to Zimbabwe when he was around 16. Then my mum’s family came from Malawi but she was born in Zimbabwe.”

A Difficult Childhood

Raised in Hauling village in Manicaland province in eastern Zimbabwe, he faced a series of challenges that would have deterred many. Adversity would force him to study in three different primary schools. “For my primary education, I started learning at Hartzell. Then I moved to a school called Peplow Primary School. Then I finished my primary school at Five Streams Primary School,” Robert recalls. The latter two were farm schools.

Proper education remained a dream. “Lack of resources was a significant challenge,” he explains. “We had no libraries, no textbooks—only the notes we received from teachers.” This scarcity stifled the ambitions of many children, leading classmates to drop out due to early marriages or financial struggles.

Robert vividly remembers the impact of financial instability on his education. “I was often sent home for school fees,” he shares, a hint of frustration in his voice. “Almost every term, I faced interruptions in my learning process.” Each time he was sent home, it felt like a step back in a race he desperately wanted to win.

Growing up in such a big family, Robert felt the weight of his parents’ dreams for their children. “My parents were doing their best to pay school fees, but sometimes they just couldn’t,” he recounts. His siblings faced similar challenges, with many unable to complete their education. “I was the first one in my family to go to A level and ultimately to university,” he says. “Some of my siblings didn’t even make it to O Level.”

At Mount Chiremba Secondary School, a community school, Robert encountered yet another hurdle. “We had to camp at another school to write our exams because ours wasn’t eligible,” he recalls, emphasizing the limited opportunities available to him. “There were no libraries, no textbooks, no laboratories—just the notes from the teacher.” The lack of resources forced him into an educational environment devoid of the tools necessary for success. He joined Alpha Institute for his A Level studies.

Exemplary Performance

Despite these challenges, Robert clung to hope. “I wanted to make it in life,” he states with conviction. “I wanted to change how I was growing up.” Yet, his aspirations remained blurry due to a lack of guidance. “People would say, ‘Doctors are cool,’ and I would think, ‘I want to be a doctor.’ But I had no idea how to get there,” he reflects.

His passion for education drove him to excel, even in the face of adversity. “I passed my ordinary levels well and thought, ‘I’ll study law,’ because that was the most respected degree available based on the subjects I had done,” he shares. However, financial constraints forced him to take a gap year before pursuing A levels. “In 2014, I stayed at home, reflecting on my future.”

When he finally returned to school in 2016, Robert decided to pivot toward subjects that aligned with his interests in science. “I always loved science, but I had to study arts for so long,” he explains. “When I got the chance, I said, ‘I want to do commercials.’” His determination paid off, as he successfully transitioned to studying mathematics, business studies, and economics.

Yet, the journey was not without its challenges. “I had my first real interaction with computers at the community school,” Robert recalls. “But I thought computers were just for typing documents. I had no idea I could have a career in IT.”

Not Even A Low Power Laptop Could Stop Him

As he transitioned to higher education, Robert’s struggles continued, particularly with technology. In his first year at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe where he studied Informatics, he relied on an old HP 255 Notebook PC, which had a mere 2GB of RAM and a failing battery. “The only time I could use the computer was when it was plugged in,” he recalls. “Power outages were common, and I often missed practical sessions because I couldn’t keep up.”

Despite these limitations, Robert remained determined to succeed. “I was grateful just to have a laptop, even if it was old and slow,” he admits. “It took up to five minutes to open applications, and time was crucial.” His perseverance in the face of adversity was instrumental in shaping his character and determination to excel in his studies.

Robert’s exposure to computers marked a turning point in his university education. “That was my first time truly learning about programming,” he says, though the pressure of competing with more experienced peers weighed heavily on him. “I thought of dropping out at times because it was so challenging,” he admits. Robert would go on to graduate with a first class bachelor’s degree in Informatics in 2022.

Despite the challenges, Robert persevered, driven by an unwavering desire to succeed. “I managed to adjust and catch up with my classmates,” he recalls. The introduction of artificial intelligence and machine learning during his studies opened up a world of possibilities. “I didn’t know there were specializations within computing until I took that module,” he says, excitement evident in his voice.

The Spark of Opportunity with Zindi

In the world of data science, the path to success is often paved with obstacles, and for Robert Selemani, this journey began with a simple suggestion from a friend. It was 2020, and they were both eager to explore the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. “A friend of mine said, ‘I came across this site called Zindi Africa. There’s an upcoming competition. We should team up,’” Robert recalls. Little did he know, this moment would mark the beginning of a transformative chapter in his life.

With a group of friends, Robert set out to participate in Zindi’s Umoja ‘Hack’ Africa competition, a challenge designed to harness the power of data for social good. “We were just introduced to AI and machine learning, but we didn’t really have much knowledge about what it is,” he admits. “So we thought this would give us the necessary exposure and practical experience we wanted.”

They approached their lecturer, Daniel Musundire, who recognized their enthusiasm. “He knew about Zindi and encouraged us to team up with more experienced students,” Robert explains. This mentorship was crucial, as it allowed the novice team to learn from peers who were already navigating the complexities of machine learning.

Robert joined a group that tackled both beginner and advanced challenges, including one focused on predicting fire outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “The challenge was about identifying fire hotspots,” he notes. “We were working with a dataset from Uganda.” Despite their lack of experience, the team was driven by a desire to learn.

“My main focus was to research and assist with debugging,” Robert says, highlighting his role in the team. “When they encountered an error, they’d task me with finding solutions or ways to improve the model.” This collaborative effort provided him with invaluable hands-on experience, even if they didn’t know how they would ultimately perform. “We managed to submit our work, and I felt accomplished just being part of the team,” he reflects.

As Robert navigated the challenges posed by Zindi, he faced the reality of competing against more seasoned participants. “Experienced participants were already doing projects in machine learning,” he recounts. “I often felt out of my depth, but I was determined to learn.”

Participating in multiple challenges allowed him to hone his skills and build confidence. “I took part in 47 challenges in total, earning three gold medals and one silver,” he says. Each competition taught him something new, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. “I won $1,500 for one challenge with my friend. Even the challenges I didn’t win were learning experiences,” he emphasizes.

The Impact of Zindi

Zindi not only offered Robert a platform to apply his skills but also opened doors to mentorship and networking opportunities. “Being part of Zindi helped me gain experience for my internship,” he explains. “I was doing systems administration, network administration, and data analysis, but it was the experience from Zindi that really prepared me for a role focused on data.”

In January 2023, after graduating from university, he secured a position as a data analyst at the Luke Commission, an NGO hospital in Eswatini. “The experience I gained through Zindi was crucial in helping me land this job,” he states. “I work with patient data, creating dashboards and analyzing electronic health records. It’s fulfilling to know I’m making a difference in healthcare.”

Today, as Robert looks ahead, he envisions a future where he can leverage his experiences to create meaningful impact across Africa.  “I see myself running my own company, Repliteq AI, focusing on developing AI solutions for healthcare and agriculture,” he asserts. His ambition is not just personal success; he aims to contribute to the broader tech landscape in Africa.

“There’s a lot of talent in Africa, but we face significant challenges, especially around computing resources and data availability,” Robert explains. “Platforms like Zindi provide crucial support, but we need more partnerships to bridge the gap. I foresee Africa not just as a consumer of technology but as a producer of innovative solutions that can change the world.”

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