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well-attended fundraising dinner on Saturday night where former South African President Thabo Mbeki was guest of honour. Individuals, companies and former students who included Government ministers, the civic society and representatives from the Diaspora attended the event and made donations.
The UZ is seeking US$70 million to finance various capital projects as well as research and exchange programmes to bring it back to the “mother of all universities” tag it used to enjoy.
The fundraising progamme is expected to become an annul event.
It is part of a drive to raise US$20m for the UZ by the end of the year.
Patron of the fundraising initiative, Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara said support to UZ by Zimbabweans and companies at home and abroad brought forth the idea of “African philanthropy”.
“Africans must start giving back to their communities. We will never be respected if our institutions are poor. For long, Africans have been receivers of aid. We want to change that paradigm. You should ask yourself what you are doing for your high school, primary school or the hospital that gave you life,” said Prof Mutambara.
Prof Mutambara said the initiative was meant to “democratise the art of giving” and divest the notion that giving was for the rich only, and urged each graduate of the institution to give US$100.
Mr Mbeki said that the UZ was a “national asset” responsible for churning out human capital.
“We have met to take responsibility of our future because it is us that can determine our future,” he said.
“We have to do what is right for our future.”
Online Reporter