Eminent Zim author, scholar Prof Mbigi dies

Rejoice Makoni-Herald Correspondent

Prominent Zimbabwean scholar, author and proponent of Ubuntu philosophies, Professor Lovemore Ndenda Mbigi, has died.

Lee Ndenda, a relative, said that Prof Mbigi died at his home in Kuwadzana on Monday morning after battling complications resulting from a stroke he suffered in 2021. He was 68 years old.

“Prof Mbigi died on Monday morning after being unwell for some time. He suffered a stroke in 2021. He was diabetic and was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis.

“He was a fatherly figure who was very supportive to everyone in the family and his death came as a huge blow to the family. We are still in disbelief that he is gone. He has left a huge void that will never be easy to fill.”

Prof Mbigi was a consultant, entrepreneur, philosopher and academic and major proponent for cultural and philosophical values embedded in the ancient African wisdom.

He believed strongly in the concept of ubuntu or people care. For years, he challenged African countries to harness their cultural creative spirit in order to usher in rapid development in a cutthroat competitive global economy.

“I am convinced that the African spirits and their virgin form of creativity, which is psychic visioning, can be applied to give birth to the African business renaissance in the areas of industrial espionage and market intelligence gathering, strategy as well as product and service innovation,” Prof Mbigi once wrote in 2014.

Mourners are gathered at 2667, 62 Crescent, Kuwadzana 4. He will be buried on today at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare. Prof Mbigi is survived by six children and one grandchild.