Online Reporter
Josephine Nyamwanza
Correspondent
A MAJOR fundraising campaign is gaining momentum for the proposed Gazaland University in Chipinge – a heritage-based institution expected to become one of the leading centre of academic excellence in Manicaland.
The initiative aims to revive and complete a project first envisioned in 2002 by the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ), which sought to expand access to higher and tertiary education in the southern parts of the province, particularly Chipinge and Chimanimani districts, long disadvantaged by distance from major universities domiciled in Mutare, Harare and Bulawayo.
The fundraising was attended by some of the highly regarded corporate institutions such as NSSA, IDBZ, Delta Corporation, CABS, several financial and insurance, among many others.
The fundraising was also graced by some well-known personalities in the academic and education sphere, notably Professor Maxwell Mutema, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Professor Pfukwa and Professor Mandivamba Rukuni, with the first three professors, hailing from Chipinge District, where the university is located.
The event was a great success with sponsorship coming from the various corporates and individuals in attendance.
There was also a fundraising auction that was conducted for various goods and commodities including Christmas hampers, beverages and wines, cutesy of Delta Corporation.
One of the fundraising organisers, advisor of Gazaland University Board and Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) chairman, Professor Maxwell Mutema who also hails from Chipinge, said he was over the moon and ecstatic to witness an event that was advancing the cause of Gazaland University.
“This is history in the making, the genesis over a legacy for generations to come, a legacy of thousands of years to come. Chipinge will never be the same again. It is a privilege and honour to be part of this unfolding transformational development,” said Professor Mutema.
He emphasised that the advantage of a late coming university was to learn from the gaps observed in the existing and older universities and try to do things differently for the better.
He believed that this will be the case with Gazaland University which will be a skill-centered and competency based university as opposed to the generic delivery approaches of the current universities.
Some of the universities faculties will include: Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Faculty of the Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences (Medicine), including a world-class University Hospital, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management among others.
Most of these faculties are inspired by the courses that the church’s institutes like Mt Selinda Institute and Chikore Mission have already been offering for decades and generations.
In an interview, Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive officer, Dr John Mangudya, who is part of the leadership spearheading the drive, said the project resonates strongly with the national philosophy of inclusive development.
“The Gazaland University that is being built will offer 10 academic programmes, including an innovation incubation hub. Supporting universities is critical because they are centres of excellence. This development means Chipinge and Chimanimani are building an institution that will directly serve their communities, and that is extremely important,” said Dr Mangudya.
Founding chairperson of the Gazaland University project, Mr Philemon Mlambo said the funds raised so far will be channelled towards the completion of the administration block and lecture rooms – key facilities required before the institution can open its doors to the public.
“The importance of this fundraising event is that it allows us to mobilise the resources necessary to finish the key buildings so the university can begin operating. This project contributes to heritage-based education, especially drawing from the rich Ndau culture of Chipinge, Chimanimani and parts of Mozambique. This cultural identity is unique, and we want to harness it to build a better Zimbabwe,” he said.
The Gazaland University project aligns with the Second Republic’s devolution agenda and the Government’s push for heritage-based education, an approach that taps into local knowledge, culture and history to strengthen national identity and development.
Once completed, the institution is expected to serve thousands from Chipinge, Chimanimani, and border communities in Mozambique, contributing towards Zimbabwe’s goal of achieving an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
Residents of Chipinge have warmly welcomed the progress, saying the establishment of the university will bring lasting socio-economic benefits, reduce education-related migration, while creating opportunities for young people.
Mrs Tanyaradzwa Makuyana, of Chipinge South, said the university will bring hope to families who cannot afford to send children to institutions in distant cities.
“Most parents struggle with transport, accommodation, and fees when their children study in Mutare, Harare or Bulawayo. Having a university here at home means education becomes more accessible. This project is long overdue.”
Mr Jonathan Dhliwayo from Gaza high-density suburb noted that the development will stimulate growth in Chipinge town.
“A university brings business, accommodation, shops, transport and even small industries. Our town will grow. This will also attract investors, so we fully support the initiative.”
Ms Ropafadzo Mlambo of Birchenough Bridge highlighted the importance of heritage-based education.
“The Ndau culture has not been fully documented or studied. If the university embraces heritage education, our language, traditions and history will finally get the recognition they deserve.”
