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Dr Masimba Mavaza
When I heard the news of the passing on of founding Vice Chancellor of Midlands State University (MSU), Professor Ngwabi Bhebe, there were so many thoughts and memories that raced through my head.
Just like many of you, I thought about the last time I saw him.
I immediately had memories of the last telephone conversation I had with him as that particular visit replayed in my mind.
I recalled a few special moments long back, in the halls and the classrooms of the University of Swaziland.
Professor Ngwabi Mulunge Bhebe was a distinguished scholar who obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Geography from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (UBLS) in 1967.
He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Imperial History from the University of London in 1972.
A celebrated historian par excellence, Professor Bhebe’s academic employment dates back to 1974 when he lectured in history at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, and later at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (UBLS) as well as at the University of Zimbabwe from 1982.
In 1985, he was head of a faculty at the University of Swaziland.
He served as Professor of History at the University of Zimbabwe from 1988 to 1999, and also as external examiner at the universities of Botswana, Malawi and Zambia.
Professor Bhebe is a researcher of no mean accomplishments.
He has published extensively and has to his name several books as well as articles in internationally refereed journals.
In this area, he has received numerous academic honours and awards.
He has also presented papers at international conferences.
With regards to administrative experiences, Professor Bhebe is a seasoned university administrator who has gone through the mill, serving as chairperson of the University of Zimbabwe’s History Department from 1989 to 1992, as well as of the Research Board from 1984 to 1991.
He also served as Senior Proctor and ultimately Pro Vice Chancellor of the same university from 1992 to 1995.
In 1999, Professor Bhebe was appointed as founder Vice Chancellor of Midlands State University, an institution which has risen to dizzy heights under his ingenious leadership.
Professor Bhebe has made a sterling contribution to the development of higher education both nationally and internationally.
He also has a remarkable track record in community service.
Beyond Midlands State University, Professor Bhebe’s academic credentials, vision and leadership have been noticed and recognised as evidenced by the fact that at the time of his passing he served as:
- Zimbabwe representative on the UNESCO Executive Board
- Council Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
- Alternate Members of the Governing Board of the Association of African Universities (AAU)
- Founding and Executive Member of the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA)
- Board Member of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE), and Chairperson of the Council’s Funding and Finance Committee
- Board Members of ZISCOSTEEL Pvt Ltd Zimbabwe, Chairperson of the Human Resource Management Committee and Member of the Finance Committee.
- Country Researcher, and Member of the Management Board of the Hashim Mbita SADC Liberation Struggle Project,
- Non-Executive Director of Ngwabi Enterprises.
- Founding Member and second Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Universities Vice Chancellor Association (ZUVCA).
But, it occurred to me that this man whom we consider to be the best educator we had ever been blessed with, was an absolute timeless icon.
Although I sometimes cannot recall what I had for breakfast, that warm and comforting environment Professor Bhebe created in his classroom remains forever quite vivid in the parts of our brains that experience pleasure.
Professor Bhebe was a teacher who had a towering personality who is remembered for his exceptional services as an inspiring lecturer, teacher, great orator and able administrator.
He had a charismatic personality and far-sighted outlook.
I have had the privilege of having been a student of the University of Swaziland from 1988 to1994.
It was during that time that I met Professor Bhebe when he was the faculty head in the humanities faculty.
In those days, this University had a glory of its own.
Those were the days when this historic university would provide holistic education to its students paying equal attention to academics, co-curricular activities, sports activities and creative activities despite being sabotaged by the apartheid South Africa.
Professor Bhebe would often deliver lectures and talks in his inimitable style in the multi-purpose hall amidst pin drop silence, leaving all the students spellbound.
He would start his lecture by talking about the land of stones further down and he would make everyone want to visit this land of stones.
Zimbabwe was its name.
Despite the busy schedule of the university, Professor Bhebe would prepare and strictly implement a practical programme like co-curricular activities such as debate/essay writing and other competitions which made many great orators in the making.
His visionary minded persona can be proved by the fact that he introduced the system of moot courts at Kwaluseni campus even though he never taught law.
It was during his tenure as faculty head that the university published the magazine “Humanities Monthly Report”, a masterpiece, for the first time.
This university produced students who have carved a niche for themselves in their respective fields and raised the glory of their alma mater.
He was really an epitome of selflessness, dedication and devotion to duty.
Such lecturers are rarely born, but their great deeds leave deep imprints on the sands of time and serve to inspire the others to emulate them.
The fact that he was appointed Vice Chancellor of MSU bears ample testimony to his secular credentials and massive respect he commanded.
No doubt, he is remembered with reverence by all the people who were associated with him in one way or the other; his students, colleagues, subordinates and people in general.
Many writers have done a great service by highlighting the known and unknown qualities of this great teacher, able administrator and person par excellence and he deserves to be appreciated for his noble endeavour.
In his wisdom and appreciation, President Mnangagwa has declared him a national hero for his outstanding contribution in the education field.
The impact that Prof Bhebe has left on his students’ lives is immeasurable.
The best teachers not only impart knowledge, but also inspire and motivate students to achieve their full potential.
In my experience as a BA law student at the University of Swaziland, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from an exceptional teacher who transformed my life.
He lectured one of my BA non-law subject, history. Even though I graduated in law I was left richer in history by Professor Bhebe.
I enrolled for Law programme at Kwaluseni Campus in Swaziland back in 1988 with a vague idea of what I wanted to do with my life.
I had chosen Law because I was good at arts subjects, but beyond that, I had no clear goals.
It was not until I met Professor Bhebe that I realised what I wanted to do with my life.
Even though my thrust was in Law, Professor Bhebe left impressions never to be deleted in my heart.
He made me love my country and opened my eyes to see how beautiful it was to be Zimbabwean.
Professor Bhebe was not just a teacher; he was a mentor, a friend, and a guide who helped me navigate the challenges of college life. His dedication to teaching his students was exemplary.
He had an innate ability to connect with his students and understanding their individual strengths and weaknesses. His passion for teaching was contagious, and his enthusiasm for the subject matter was palpable in every class.
Beyond his expertise in history, Professor Bhebe was an all-rounder who was knowledgeable not only in his subject area, but also in other fields such as designing and writing skills.
He encouraged us to develop a well-rounded set of skills that would be valuable in our professional lives.
He made many fall in love with life and encouraged us to explore our interests and provided guidance on how to achieve our goals.
Professor Bhebe was always available to discuss any questions or concerns, and provided invaluable advice and support.
Beyond the classroom, he also encouraged us to participate in extracurricular activities, such as writing competitions, designing, and research projects.
He believed in my abilities and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams.
Thanks to his emphasis on my writing skills, I was able to develop a well-rounded set of skills that has been invaluable in my professional life.
I have been able to use my given knowledge and communication skills to move on in my professional life, and I am always grateful for his guidance and support, which have left a lasting impact on my life.
His impact on my life went beyond academic and professional development.
He was instrumental in helping me deal with personal challenges, and was a source of support and encouragement during my battles with life.
Prof Bhebe encouraged me to come back home after my graduation. With his combination with the late Senator Joseph Culverwell, he made me use my legal knowledge in prosecution.
He was always there to listen and provide guidance when I needed it most. He challenged me and hundreds more to continue with their studies.
In his own words, Professor Bhebe said, “The only steps to a good future is education. You need to go after education until education comes after you then you will become someone”
Professor Bhebe had a way of making every student feel seen and heard, regardless of their background or academic performance.
His classroom was a safe space where students felt comfortable expressing their opinions and asking questions without fear of judgment or ridicule.
He believed that every student had the potential to succeed, and he worked tirelessly to help them achieve their goals.
His unwavering passion for teaching and his dedication to social justice made him a role model for many of us.
He taught us not only about history and politics but also about life, and his lessons will stay with us forever.
He was not just a teacher, but a mentor, a friend, and a guide who had a profound impact on his students’ lives.
He reached out with unparalleled kindness and consideration to everyone he came across, he touched all of our hearts in so many different and extremely valuable ways.
But . . . no matter how skilful a teacher he was . . . no matter how patient and how kind he was with us as students . . . no matter how much energy he put into making us the best readers and writers we could possibly be, he touched some of our hearts in very special ways that we can never accurately or fully explain with the mere tools of these earthly written words.
Fare thee well our national hero, our teacher, our mentor. May his soul rest in peace.
Online Reporter