Online Reporter
It is a good morning in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Welcome to our live coverage of a significant reunion event taking place today at State House in the capital.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to host his former classmates from the 1975 University of Zambia Law Degree class.
This gathering marks a poignant moment as the President reconnects with colleagues from his past, reflecting on their shared experiences during their studies in Lusaka.
President Mnangagwa, who pursued his Law Degree after enduring imprisonment for his political activism during the liberation struggle, will be joined by Cabinet Ministers, Zanu PF Politburo members, the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Zambia, Charity Charamba, and other senior Government officials.
As they come together to celebrate their academic journey, this event also serves as a reminder of the impact of their collective history.
Stay tuned as Zvamaida Murwira and Joseph Manditsvara bring you updates and insights from this memorable occasion, where stories of camaraderie and resilience will undoubtedly unfold.
President reunites with classmates
President Mnangagwa has now joined his colleagues at State House, where he is holding a reception for them in an emotional reunion.
The President is hosting the 1975 University of Zambia Law Degree class.
It was an emotional encounter as President Mnangagwa revelled in the reunion, shaking hands with his old-time colleagues.
According to a list gleaned by The Herald, the class comprises of 53 students, most of whom are now deceased.
Down memory lane
Justice Chulu chronicled his journey with President Mnangagwa at the University of Zambia.
One of the telling incidents he reminisced about was when President Mnangagwa’s first child – Farai Mnangagwa – went missing shortly after her delivery at a Lusaka hospital.
Justice Chulu described the incident as tension-filled and stressful.
He said everyone looked for the child at the hospital, but the search did not produce any results.
Some babies would be brought to the mother, but she would say it was not her child.
Justice Chulu said it later emerged that there had been an accidental swap of children, which then led to the reunion of the baby and her parents.
President Mnangagwa reflects on UNZA Journey and calls for economic independence
President is now on the podium to deliver his address.
The President chronicled his experience at the University of Zambia, including how close he was with Justice Chulu.
He described the 1975 UNZA Law class as successful given that it produced a President, Judges, Attorney Generals and ambassadors, among others.
President Mnangagwa said after completing his Law Degree, he practiced law with Dumbutshena Law Firm in Zambia for two years, before joining the liberation struggle in Mozambique.
“None of us could tell what our future held. Since our graduation, a lot has happened. The world was different from what it is today,” he said.
“While we managed to win the continent’s political emancipation, much more must be done to realise sustainable economic independence. Our continent continues to grapple with skewed economic relations.
“These emanate from the fact that some countries assume that they have the inalienable right to keep us in perennial subjugation. This will never be allowed to happen,” said President Mnangagwa.
What a day as African giants renew sense of purpose
After exchanging gifts with his former classmates, the President is now leading his colleagues to lunch.
The atmosphere at State House remains charged with nostalgia and inspiration.
The President’s reflections on the past, coupled with a passionate call for economic independence, resonate deeply with his fellow alumni.
The gathering has not only celebrated their shared academic journey but also reignited a collective commitment to addressing the ongoing challenges facing the continent.
As the event wraps up, attendees are left with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to tackle the future with the lessons learned from their time at the University of Zambia.
Thank you for joining us for this momentous occasion, and stay tuned for more updates as we continue to cover the developments in Zimbabwe.
