adminLiberty Dube
It is always harder to be left behind than to be the one to go.
This was the feeling Mutare Polytechnic students, lecturers and other members of staff had as they bid farewell to the college’s former principal and iconic educationist Mr Tobias Kuwengwa who diligently served for 26 years and canoed the college to greater heights.
Mr Kuwengwa rose to stardom in the midst of colonial rule and became a shining emblem in the post-colonial era in the education system after graduating with a Bachelor of Science General Degree at the University of Rhodesia (now University of Zimbabwe) in 1971 and taught at several institutions.
Speeches delivered at his historic farewell banquet last Friday attended by Government officials, family and friends bore testimony that he was a leader par excellence whose actions inspired others to dream more, learn more and do more.
He propelled the institution and made it become a bastion for learning in Zimbabwe and the SADC region. The college now draws students from various countries in the region which include Mozambique, Namibia and Equatorial Guinea.
After completing his university education in 1971, Mr Kuwengwa was deployed to Mufakose High School in 1972 as a science teacher under the expert hand of Mr Lumbert Trullan. He was elevated to head the Science Department and was also appointed a senior master.
Between 1972 and 1987 he taught in Mutare and headed various schools including Dangamvura, Sakubva and Mutare Boys.
In 1987, he was offered and gladly accepted a lecturing post in the Science Department at Gweru Teachers’ College.
He left the College and became Seke Teachers’ College principal in 1988 before he embarked on a roller-coaster journey at Mutare Polytechnic in January 1989 where he steered the institution from its humble beginnings to its greater heights.
Mr Kuwengwa left Mutare Polytechnic in 2009 to become acting chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF).
He contributed significantly in resuscitating the organisation before returning to Mutare Polytechnic in 2011.
He transformed ZIMDEF from non-performing to a performing Government enterprise and he introduced the B-Tech degree in wood technology in affiliation with National University of Science and Technology at Mutare Polytechnic.
He raised Mutare Polytechnic governance and operational standards to world class as evidenced by the fact that it is the only polytechnic to receive International Accreditation Organisation Certificate.
“I was elated and felt humbled to be accorded such a farewell ceremony. It exceeded my expectations and from Mutare Polytechnic, I am currently evaluating some opportunities. I believe the new principal will continue from where I left.
“I had wonderful years with Mutare Polytechnic staff and students. It’s time for me to move on and I am proud of my achievements,” he said.
Kuwengwa (67), is now actively involved in agriculture and owns a plot in Nyazura with a fairly large herd of cattle.
Online Reporter