Online Reporter
Sharon Jiyamwa
Herald Reporter
CHITEPO School of Ideology has ushered in a new chapter with the appointment of Retired Colonel Earnest Dube as acting principal, taking over from Cde Ishmael Mada.
The leadership handover was marked by calls for continuity, discipline and the strengthening of ideological education as the institution seeks to meet growing demand for its programmes.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Charles Tawengwa said the transition represented continuity in the work of the institution.
He commended Cde Mada for his contribution during his tenure and urged the incoming acting principal to consolidate the work already done.
“Today is about continuity, service and responsibility. We gather to appreciate a comrade who has served our revolutionary party and this institution with commitment, while at the same time entrusting another comrade with the responsibility of carrying the work forward,” he said.
Senator Tawengwa said ideological education remained important to the party’s emphasis on patriotism, discipline, unity and hard work.
He said the school had a role to play in preparing cadres to contribute towards national development and Vision 2030.
“The Chitepo School of Ideology must therefore continue moulding cadres who understand where we came from, what the party Zanu-PF stands for, and the responsibility entrusted to our generation,” he said.
Sen Tawengwa said ideological education should also address the country’s development aspirations.
“Patriotism must translate into production, innovation, service and tangible national development,” he said.
Colonel Retired Dube said he accepted the appointment with a strong sense of responsibility, describing it as a national duty.
“It is with profound humility, gratitude and unwavering sense of responsibility that I stand before you today to formally accept the honour and duty entrusted to me by His Excellency, the President Dr E.D.Mnangagwa, as Acting Principal of the Chitepo School of Ideology,” he said.
Col (Rtd) Dube paid tribute to his predecessor, saying he had learnt from Cde Mada, particularly the importance of patience and consultation.
“One major call upon me was that, ‘General Ndlalambi, be patient. Some of these things don’t just happen overnight as you wish.’ He would say, ‘Consult’,” he said.
He said consultation would be central to his approach to leadership.
“Before you write anything, propagate anything, you go through my office here behind me for consultation. Once you have consulted, then you can speak out. Before that, keep it in your chest,” he said.
Col (Rtd) Dube pledged to lead the institution on the basis of discipline, integrity, teamwork, professionalism, patriotism and servant leadership.
The incoming acting principal said he would work with the party leadership, staff and stakeholders to strengthen the school as a centre for ideological education, research and engagement.
Outgoing principal Comrade Ishmael Mada said the handover marked an important milestone in the institution’s history and described leadership as a responsibility entrusted to individuals for a given period.
He thanked President Mnangagwa and the party leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the school, while expressing appreciation to the party’s leadership and staff for their support during his tenure.
“As I pass on the baton stick to Retired Colonel Dube today, I do so with a profound sense of gratitude to all staff at Chitepo School of Ideology and colleagues for the support and teamwork,” he said.
He said the school’s mandate was to address what he termed mental slavery and promote unity, focus and national cohesion.
“Chitepo School of Ideology, colleagues, has the sacred task to emancipate all our citizens from mental slavery. This is a challenging task which requires unquestionable loyalty as well as hard endurance.”
