Kabanda: Gem from the ghetto

world over some of the biggest names grew up in the ghetto, especially in sports and business.
I have come to realise that growing up in such places has its own advantages and disadvantages depending with the kind of person one eventually wants to be.
One of the positives coming out of the ghetto is that the outside world and those surrounding them inspire the people. They are characterised by a strong determination and can make sacrifices against all odds.
If one chooses to do something, they do it wholeheartedly in a typical manner it has to be done, be it good or bad.
“I love the determination, dedication, vigour and commitment from the ghetto.”
This is where Professor Gabriel Kabanda grew up in, the “ghetto”. He was challenged by this environment to become the person that he is today — attaining professorship is no mean feat and it takes a lot to go up that ladder.
Born 47 years ago in Highfield, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest suburbs, he grew up there and attended schools in that area.
He went to Highfield High School for his Form 1 to Form 6 studies before embarking on university education.
“Growing up in a ghetto environment was very challenging and one had to be seasoned in the social dimensions to float,” said Prof Kabanda.
However, it is against this background that he was able to attain excellence by maintaining focus, discipline and hard work.
As a young boy, Professor Kabanda had a passion for teaching and imparting knowledge to others. His assisting numerous classmates at primary school, high school and even university level shone through studies.
Coming from the ghetto, he was inspired by many several African scholars before independence and so envisioned to become like one of them, guided by strong Christian values that moulded him to become a man of God.
He is married to Patience and the couple has four children — two sons and two daughters (Diana, Christopher, Faith and Emmanuel). His personal philosophy is “laborare est orare”, Latin for  “to work is to pray”.
What he has achieved over the years resulted in him being an academician, a seasoned information and communication technology consultant, and a strategist with wide-ranging experience spanning over 24 years.
He is a Professor of Management Information Systems and Computer Science.
He was conferred and appointed a Fellow of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences in October 2009.
The man of many hats also has been the Pro Vice Chancellor at the Zimbabwe Open University since January 2008.
Upon his appointment at ZOU, he was responsible for Strategic Planning, Academic Affairs, Learner Support, Marketing, and Income Generation from January 2008 to December 2010.
He is now PVC responsible for Corporate Planning and Business Development, and this was with effect from January 2011.
Prof Kabanda has extensive university lectureship experience mainly at postgraduate levels, and has worked in both public and private sectors for many years.
He acquired considerable experience in providing information technology and strategic management consultancy services to various corporates in Zimbabwe, Sadc, East and West Africa, the United Nations and Microsoft International.
Prof Kabanda has written various technical papers and books, and presented and facilitated at several international conferences, workshops, seminars, and schools.
The professor holds a PhD degree in Computer Science (California, USA), Master of Science in Computer Science (Wales), a BSc in Mathematics and Physics (University of Zimbabwe), Gold Diploma in Computer Programming (London) and a Diploma in Applied Meteorology (Reading).
He was awarded the worldwide honour of Who’s Who of Professionals in 1997 in recognition of his outstanding academic and professional achievements.
Professor Kabanda is one of the eight members of the Technical Committee on Collaboration (TCC) of the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE) since April 2009, a continental unifying body with a membership that covers over 36 paid-up universities/higher education institutions in the African Union.
He is also an external examiner of a South African university and a board member of the Zimbabwe National Army Schools and Welfare Trust (ZNASWT).
Recently, Professor Kabanda was appointed chairman of the IT Governance & Cyber Security Institute advisory board.