Mutsa Mutembwa plans to use economics degree to help native Zimbabwe

Mutsa Mutembwa can feel Zimbabwe’s pain.

After winning the Rhodes Scholarship this past December, Mutembwa visited her home country of Zimbabwe, a country tattered by financial ruin, and gained the perspective of the impoverished people. 

As a double major in economics and mathematics, she wants to change what she saw.

“I believe I can relate to a poverty-stricken area that needs help, which I can use to help from my academic experience,” Mutembwa said.

She isn’t wasting much time. Already, she is planning on becoming a financial economist to start a functioning microfinance initiative to help rural women and children, who make up 80 percent of Zimbabwe’s rural population, she said.

As the fourth student-athlete Rhodes Scholar winner in IU history, Mutembwa said she feels obligated to help. 

“Being a Rhodes Scholar puts you on a platform and gives you a voice, but you also earn a great deal of responsibility,” Mutembwa said.

She said her ability to adapt and her genuine passion toward everything she does sets her apart, but the application process made her look inward.

“You do a lot of self-analysis and you really break yourself down to see the type of characteristics you have,” Mutembwa said.

In the athlete side of her life, Mutembwa played a vital part to the IU field hockey team’s defense, helping it go to the NCAA Tournament. Because she played in all 18 games and started in 17, teammates took notice of Mutembwa.

“She showed leadership by always being on time, never being late to practice,” junior forward Katie Griswold said.

IU coach Amy Robertson echoed Griswold’s sentiments. She said she thinks Mutembwa can help Zimbabwe and other African countries.

“Mutsa is an extremely well-rounded individual,” Robertson said. “She is very worldly, at the same time very grounded, very intelligent and for her young age, she is very mature,” Robertson said.

Roberston said winning the Rhodes scholarship is just the beginning of the impact that Mutembwa will have on the University and the world.

“I think Mutsa is going to be on the cover of our media guide in 10 years as one of the famous alumni of Indiana University,” she said.