Engineer · Writer · Public Health Advocate
SiyanqobaUndefeated
01 — About
Bongani Ncube-Zikhali is a dynamic, experienced Software Engineer, writer and activist, currently working as a Design Lead at a Tier 1 automotive supplier.
His passion for technology is matched only by his passion for the spoken and written word — exercised over fifteen years as a debater and public speaker, and as founding President of the Debating Union at Sorbonne University, Paris.
Born in Zimbabwe and shaped by classrooms, stages and workshops across four continents, Bongani believes in the immense power of the written word to shape the flow of imagination — and from it, the world beyond. He trained students in communication and presentation skills, speech writing and Paris-style debate, and has represented the voice of African youth before business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum.
02 — Three Pillars
B.Sc. in Mathematics & Computer Science, B.Sc. in Software Engineering, M.Sc. in Computer & Electronic Systems. From high-level programming to electronics and embedded systems — the future of an ever more connected world.
Contributing writer to Voices of Africa, published in journals and anthologies, and winner of the Dr Yvonne Vera Award for the short story — breaking the stereotypes the world holds of African youth, one page at a time.
British Council Global Changemaker, speaker at the World Economic Forum, peer facilitator at Global Youth Summits in India, Botswana and South Africa — and today, an actor in the uplifment of medical facilities in rural Zimbabwe through Zimhealth.
03 — The Journey
Awarded Zimbabwe's premier short story prize, named for the celebrated Bulawayo novelist — early recognition of a voice that refuses silence.
Selected to implement and lead a youth-led project; spoke at the World Economic Forum on Africa, representing African youth before the continent's business and political leaders.
Volunteered as peer facilitator at summits in India, Botswana and South Africa, and represented the project on a working visit to the Presidency of Mozambique.
Founded the Debating Union at Sorbonne University, training young students in communication, presentation, speech writing and Paris-style debate.
Engineering the embedded, connected systems that drive our daily lives — while heading Publicity, Communication & Membership at Zimhealth Europe.
04 — Writing
Leaving Bulawayo at the height of the jacaranda season, when purple flowers carpeted every avenue…
A haunted kind of beauty, and a silence stretching far into the bounds of awkwardness.
Reflections of a former Parisian in the Big Apple.
It would haunt your nightmares for years to come…
A Ndebele proverb turned poem, on justice — or the lack of it.
What you did when you left was less of leaving than it was of running.
"I am interested in fiction as a means of redressing historical injustices and interrogating the assumptions made by mainstream historians. If history is about understanding the present through the lens of the past, then the exact calibration of the lens matters."— Alice Jolly
05 — Advocacy
As Head of Publicity, Communication and Membership for Zimhealth Europe — a Swiss-based non-profit — Bongani works with an amazing & talented group of volunteers who have reached over 38 000 people in 2025 alone and channeled over a million United States dollars since the inception of the organization into into medical health facilities in rural Zimbabwe, his native country.
The work continues a culture of voluntary activism that began in High School, ZimHealth has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of his adult life.
06 — In the Room
