Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau
THE Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School in Kwekwe is nearing a significant milestone, with the first phase of construction slated for completion next month.
The prestigious institution is poised to revolutionise the law education sector and play a vital role in achieving Vision 2030.
Situated on a 220-hectare campus along the old Gokwe Road in Kwekwe, the new Law School will serve as a hub for legal excellence, attracting talented individuals from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
With a capacity to accommodate 600 students, the institution is expected to significantly contribute to the country’s legal landscape.
As a beacon of legal education, the Law School will not only provide quality education but also foster a new generation of legal professionals who will drive national development.
The campus is also expected to host the Midlands State University’s graduation ceremony this year, marking a significant step towards realising its vision.
In an interview, the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Dr Frederick Shava, said the Government is equally impressed by the construction works, noting the school will play a critical role in reshaping the education sector.
“As the Government, we are excited and impressed by the work done so far, and we are hopeful that the contractors will finish their work within the stipulated time frames,” he said.
The MSU Law School embodies the Government’s dedication to education and national development, aligning seamlessly with Vision 2030’s goal of propelling Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
By equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills, this esteemed institution will play a pivotal role in moulding the nation’s future leaders and shaping the country’s trajectory.
“As you are aware, the Second Republic is advocating for innovation and industrialisation through the establishment of innovation hubs.
“This will certainly play a key role in achieving that goal. We are committed, as a Government, to infrastructural development, and this is one of the signs that the Government is walking the talk,” explained Dr Shava.
MSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Muzvidziwa, said the law school project is among the signature projects by the institution towards the promotion of innovation and industrialisation in line with Vision 2030.
The campus will not only house the Faculty of Law but also faculties of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well as the Built Environment.
He said construction started in 2023 and is over 65 percent complete, with major progress made on the main building’s four sections.
The self-contained, double-storey campus will feature lecture rooms, moot courts, a library, hostels, a kitchen, a hospital and staff quarters among other essential facilities.
“We are at an advanced stage of this first phase of the project, and I am glad to indicate that, in two months, we will be done with this law school project,” said Prof Muzvidziwa.
“What we are aiming for is to host the graduation ceremony at this institution in September. The contractors are on the ground, and all required materials are there, and we see no obstacles to completing this project.”
With the expectation to relocate staff and students by August, MSU is gearing up for a significant academic shift.
Currently, MSU enrols 120 undergraduate law students per year and offers two master’s programmes with 30 students annually.
President Mnangagwa’s legal expertise and reforms have left an indelible mark on the justice system, hence the law school is a fitting tribute to his legacy.
He also advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, having survived the death penalty during the liberation struggle on a technicality.
