The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Director General, Dr. Gift Machengete has urged young innovators not to give up on their dreams of developing solutions to address the country’s various economic problems.
Speaking at the recently launched National ICT Policy & ICT Innovation Drive, Dr. Machengete said not everyone will be fortunate to receive funding for their projects but must persevere to make their dreams come true.
During his inspiring speech to young innovators present, the Director General gave an example of how the former and late United States President, Abraham Lincoln rebelled against his failures on till he landed the Presidency in 1860.
Dr. Machengete urged Zimbabwe’s upcoming ICT Innovators never to be taken aback by failures they might endure on their journey to stardom. “The road is sprout with many disappointments but keep looking forward and chase your dreams with immense determination” said Dr. Machengete.
POTRAZ will be responsible for funding commercially viable projects produced by young innovators through its Universal Service Fund (USF)
The POTRAZ went on to give in detail how Abraham Lincoln failed numerous times before landing the US Presidency in 1860, but still he never gave up despite failing a record 19 times in the his various endeavors.
Abraham Lincoln endured a steady stream of failure and defeat before becoming President of the United States. Dr. Machengete derived his motivational speech from the former US President’s Fact Filed tittled Abraham Lincoln Didn’t Quit.
Abraham Lincoln Didn’t Quit
Probably the greatest example of persistence is Abraham Lincoln. If you want to learn about somebody who didn’t quit, look no further.
Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown.
He could have quit many times but he didn’t and because he didn’t quit, he became one of the greatest presidents in the history of our country.
Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln’s road to the White House:
- 1816: His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
- 1818: His mother died.
- 1831: Failed in business.
- 1832: Ran for state legislature – lost.
- 1832: Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
- 1833: Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
- 1834: Ran for state legislature again – won.
- 1835: Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
- 1836: Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
- 1838: Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
- 1840: Sought to become elector – defeated.
- 1843: Ran for Congress – lost.
- 1846: Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good job.
- 1848: Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
- 1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
- 1854: Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
- 1856: Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – got less than 100 votes.
- 1858: Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
- 1860: Elected president of the United States.
