Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba /Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau
IN a historic first for the Midlands State University (MSU), President Mnangagwa officially commissioned the new ED Mnangagwa Law School in Kwekwe yesterday, coinciding with the university’s 26th graduation ceremony.
Nestled 16km north-west of Kwekwe in Midlands province, the new campus was bustling with over 10 000 graduands, family members, and well-wishers, marking a significant step in the university’s expansion.
The event, which celebrated the university’s Silver Jubilee, was a milestone as it marked the first time MSU has held its graduation ceremony outside the main Gweru campus. The atmosphere was vibrant, with entrepreneurial vendors setting up mini studios to capture videos and photographs for the thousands of attendees, who had gathered early to witness the landmark occasion.
A total of 6 849 graduands were capped by the President, with women comprising 54 percent of the cohort. The ceremony underscored the university’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and fostering innovation, in line with Vision 2030 and the Education 5.0 framework.
The Kwekwe campus, built on land donated by the Kwekwe City Council, features state-of-the-art facilities including an e-library, moot court, lecture theatres, staff residences, and student accommodation. These amenities are designed to equip students from diverse backgrounds with the tools needed to excel in law and related disciplines.
In preparation for the event, several roads leading to the campus were upgraded to ensure smooth traffic flow, while police managed crowd control and vehicle movement.
Giant screens and speakers enabled attendees to follow proceedings live despite the scorching heat. Over 100 photographers captured the historic occasion, while the MSU band kept spirits high.
Popular dancehall artiste Enzo Ishall, attending with his graduating wife, delighted the crowd with a special performance.
President Mnangagwa, accompanied by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Dr Frederick Shava, MSU Vice Chancellor Professor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa, and the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, officially commissioned the law school by unveiling a commemorative plaque.
The President toured the facility, which includes 110 rooms comprising lecture theatres, moot courts, a library, medical centre, kitchen, and staff accommodation.
Following the tour, the President led the procession to the graduation grounds, where graduands and their loved ones eagerly awaited the Chancellor’s arrival.
Prof Muzvidziwa expressed pride in the transformation of the site, which had evolved from wilderness into a thriving educational hub.
“We are deeply grateful to President Mnangagwa for graciously accepting our invitation to lend his name to this esteemed institution. We also appreciate the opportunities created by the Government that have enabled our growth and development.
“To our graduands, I offer these words of wisdom: perseverance is key, and by moving forward with determination, we can collectively build a brighter future,” he said.
Prof Muzvidziwa said the ceremony was a resounding success, marking a major milestone in the university’s history.
“Some people had their doubts about this venue, predicting the roads would be impassable due to dust, but we’ve proved them wrong by hosting one of the best ceremonies ever,” he said, to applause and cheers.
Sidumisile Mabena