daniel chigunwe
Sifelani Tsiko
Agric, Environment & Innovations Editor
The death of acclaimed Zimbabwean scientist, mathematician, statistician and musician Dr Gibson Mandishona has triggered an outpouring of grief for a man who stood firm and unwavering in the advancement of science and technology in the country.
Prayer services were held to pay tribute and scores of people thronged the Greendale Methodist Church in Harare last Friday for the funeral of one of Zimbabwe’s legendary intellectuals Dr Gibson Mandishona, who died on September 9 aged 83.
Many more also bid farewell to the eminent scientist, mathematician, statistician and musician who was accorded a state–assisted funeral and was laid to rest at his rural home in Chikwaka, a few kilometres east of Harare on September 16.
The much loved Dr Mandishona famed for his work on renewable energy, technology innovations, corporate management, township music, Shona poetry and for co-writing the song Zimbabwe with Bob Marley while he was still in Ethiopia working for the UN in the late 1970s, died after a stroke at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
Social media was also filled with tributes, images and quotes from the eminent scholar’s poetry and books.
Prominent academics, scholars, business executives, friends, relatives and children all said the void created by the passing away of the famous scientist, scholar and humanitarian will be extremely difficult to fill and the immense loss, not only to Africa and the Third World, but the entire world of scientists, scholars, intellectuals and humanitarians will be almost irreplaceable.
In recognition of his colossal and brilliant contribution to scientific inventions and research, he was set be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree of the London Graduate School and the Commonwealth University of Business Arts and Technology for his lifetime achievements and contributions in October this year.
In 2021, Dr Mandishona was among outstanding Zimbabweans that were honoured by President Mnangagwa for excelling in various fields.
He was honoured with the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe Silver Medal Award during the 2021 Heroes and Defence Forces Day commemorations.
Dr Mandishona had vast interests in the field of technology innovations, corporate management, township music and Shona poetry read in schools in the country.
Former Finance Minister and friend, Dr Herbert Murerwa hailed him for his humility, simplicity, honesty and love for the poor.
“He was a humble man. He had no class. He would intermingle with everyone right from a villager to academics and other high profile people,” he said. “Humility was the hallmark of his life. He was a very honest man. In all these years, l have known him, he was an honest man, soft spoken, thoughtful and all embracing.”
He said Dr Mandishona developed a socialist consciousness very early in life and was always concerned about uplifting the poor.
“Very often he would say we should always be on the side of the poor and this is how this man was,” he said.
He said Dr Mandishona’s heart and soul was in Mbare: “He grew up in Mbare. Many people never knew that someone great could come out of Mbare. We have been friends for 60 years. He has always to me that his heart and soul will always be there in Mbare. Whenever someone he knew died in Mbare, he would go there and mourn.
“He never worried about class and status. He treated people equally and love all.”
Dr Mandishona kept friendships alive even though he was staying in the upmarket Glen Lorne suburb.
“We would share a lot. He would tell me, figures tell us a story, but not a full story. They require a narrative,” Dr Murerwa recalled.
“In order to have peace of mind, he said, be satisfied. He was easy. He spoke softly and always in a thoughtful way. He was a gifted and very thoughtful man. He always told me that there is complexity even in simple things.
“He didn’t speak a lot but he was always thoughtful. There is very little I would do without seeking his honest advice.”
Peter Musami, a relative said Dr Mandishona loved the poor and assisted many people. “It’s a huge loss to us. His philanthropic works touched the lives of many. He loved people and he helped so many people,” he said.
Said Community Technology Development Organisation director Andrew Mushita: “His mind was always looking for innovations and solutions to address society’s challenges in the agriculture, renewable energy, environment, climate change, appropriate technology and rural industrialisation sectors.
“He was a visionary, scientist par-excellence, innovator and role model we should all emulate. He was a legend who was calm, had a listening ear, ready to engage and share his knowledge and wisdom, in all facets of his life.”
Dr Mandishona had vast interests in the field of technology innovations, corporate management, township music and Shona poetry read in schools in the country.
He was also instrumental in the establishment of Zimstat, SIRDC, ZIMRA and the Harare Institute of Technology.
Other accolades include a merit award of the Research Council of Zimbabwe, 2019 Board Chairperson of the Year and Higher Learning and Tertiary Institutions – Institute of Corporate Directors award.
Dr Mandishona was the first board chairman of the Harare Institute of Technology and in the 1970s he once worked for the United Nations as a statistics and demography consultant.
He was active and globally recognized in the field of science and innovation especially in the field of renewable energy.
Dr Mandishona was born in a small town of Chegutu in 1940. After attending secondary school in Zimbabwe, he completed BSc (Hons) with majors in physics and mathematics.
During his student years at the University of Zimbabwe in the 1960s, he was part of the first student members of ZANU PF which organised peaceful protest activities against the racist Rhodesian regime.
He later attended UK universities and attained MSc and PhD degrees in mathematics at the universities of Kent and Nottingham respectively.
“Dr Mandishona will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm, his unwavering commitment to excellence and his dedication to making a positive impact to society,” said Harare Institute of Technology Vice Chancellor Eng Quinton Kanhukamwe.
“HIT is poorer and mourns the loss of a remarkable scholar and leader. May his illustrious career serve as a befitting comfort to the Mandishona family that they gave this nation a giant who ran his race with distinction.”
Said writer, researcher and music critic Joyce Njenje – Makwenda: “Dr Mandishona was a person who put his all on whatever he was working on.
“He loved fat cooks. Whenever I cooked some for him, he would call his friend – Dr Murerwa to come and join him. He loved fat cooks – cookies which were quite popular in the townships. I never liked mathematics but he would tell me: ‘Maths is what you do everyday. If you play your mathematics well, you will win.”
Former presidential chief of protocol, Ambassador Munyaradzi Kajese, said Dr Mandishona was a visionary leader and thinker.
“His contribution to Zimbabwe was enormous. He was a great visionary, someone who was ahead of his time. His contribution will live for ever and ever,” he said. “Vaisekwa navaMugabe (Former president Robert Mugabe) vachinzi vakomana vekuMbare.”
Said former Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) commissioner-general Gershem Pasi: “I admired his patience. He was a humble man. He allowed me to thrive and allowed me to bring the vision for Zimra into reality. I salute you as a legacy builder. You were very humble.”
Mary – Ann, a daughter of Dr Mandishona said his father exemplified integrity, honour and empathy for the most vulnerable.
“A pioneering spirit who was ahead of his time in every aspect of his life work. He always strived against the grain, pushing back against corruption to uphold the ubuntu spirit,” she said.
He always put everyone else ahead of him. He emanated Ubuntu – humanity to others.”
Said Tanyaradzwa – his daughter based in the US: “Throughout your life you wore many titles and held many roles in different people’s lives. But to me, you’ll always be my dad. That’s the title I know you wore with the most pride because Tawona, Mary-Ann, Anthony, and I were your pride and joy.
“You bragged about us to anyone who would listen. You loved us so fiercely and proudly. Your love gave us the best that life had to offer. Your love inspired us to work hard to accomplish our goals with clenched teeth determination. Your love encouraged us to forge our own paths. Your love reminded us that family and community above all else is most important.
“Your love allowed us to appreciate the beauty and joy in every moment. Your love held us up.”
Dr Mandishona is survived by four children – Taona (48), Mary – Ann (45), Anthony (43) and Tanya (35).
“Samanyanga, Unendoro fambai zvakanaka. We already miss you. Mufambe zvakanaka muzungu weDande,” said Jenje – Makwenda, in a farewell to the outstanding scientist and scholar.
Online Reporter