Ruvimbo Samanga

Ruvimbo Samanga is a Space Policy Analyst and sits on the Board of the Space Arbitration Assocciation. Ruvimbo has supported a number of international initiatives in policy, business, outreach, and education geared towards the advancement of space and satellite applications for sustainable development. She currently serves as an Ambassador for the MILO Space Science Institute, and previously served a 2-year term as the National Point of Contact for Zimbabwe in the Space Generation Advisory Council, the latter which is in support of the United Nations Program on Space Applications.

Early life and education
Ruvimbo was born and brought up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She completed her primary school education at Whitestone Primary School, and her secondary education at Dominican Convent Highschool, Bulawayo. She was enthusiastic about arts, culture, and sports throughout, particularly honing strengths in literature, swimming, and tennis.

Career
An early go-getter, Ruvimbo’s written and spoken abilities naturally lead her towards a career in law. Ruvimbo completed her Bachelor of Arts in Law, her Bachelor of Laws, and her Master of Law in Trade & Investment Law in Africa. At University she participated in moot court and was part of the first team from Africa to win the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition in 2018. She was inducted into the Golden Key Honours Society in 2015 for her academic excellence, and later inducted into the Golden Key Honorary Membership in 2020, for her outstanding leadership, academics, and community service.

Shortly after this, Ruvimbo began her tentative career as a Policy Analyst, working on a full-time and freelance basis with various organisations including Space in Africa, the Open Society Initiative in Southern Africa, and the Open Lunar Foundation, amongst other regional and international organisations.

Awards
She has received numerous recognitions throughout her career, notably:


 * Zimbabwe Achievers Award – In the category Young Achiever of the Year 2019
 * Space in Africa – Top 10 Under 30 in the African Space Industry 2019
 * Space Generation Advisory Council – African Space Leaders Award 2020
 * International Astronautical Federation – Emerging Space Leaders Award 2021
 * International Astronautical Federation – Young Space Leaders Award 2022

She has received and supported the following scholarships:


 * Ban Ki-Moon Global Citizen Scholarship
 * Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
 * Mandela Rhodes Scholarship.
 * Mandela Rhodes Scholarship.

She is affiliated with or has served with the following programs:


 * Rotary International – Interact President (2013, Founding Rotaract President (2014-2015)
 * Space Generation Advisory Council National Point of Contact 2019-2021
 * Karman Project – Karman Pioneer 2023

Ruvimbo is a firm advocate for sustainable development through technology, collaboration and the common understanding of our humanness. She hopes to inspire the youth and women especially to persevere despite hardship.