Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere, Senior Reporter
VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Constantino Chiwenga has urged Zimbabweans to persevere in pursuit of their dreams, saying adversity should not become a reason to abandon set goals.
He said this yesterday while celebrating his wife Colonel Miniyothabo Chiwenga’s latest academic achievement at her PhD graduation party and belated 50th birthday celebrations held at Chivaraidze Agro-Industrial Park.
Col Baloyi-Chiwenga recently attained a Doctor of Business Leadership, adding another qualification to an extensive academic and professional portfolio built alongside her military career.
Using her academic journey as an example, VP Chiwenga said success was often the product of endurance, discipline and the determination to see a difficult journey through to its logical conclusion.
“This is where I would like to speak not only to the graduate, but to all the people here today,” he said.
“There will be moments in life when the journey becomes difficult. There will be assignments that seem too demanding, examinations that seem overwhelming, responsibilities that appear beyond our capacity and circumstances that may tempt us to abandon our dreams.
“When the journey becomes difficult, do not quit simply because it has become difficult.
“Persevere, keep going, keep learning, keep believing. And, above all, finish what you started. There is a special satisfaction in completion. Many people start, fewer people persevere and fewer still stay the course until the end.”
VP Chiwenga said the graduation therefore represented more than academic achievement, as it also demonstrated the endurance and discipline required to pursue a demanding goal to its conclusion.
“Today’s graduation is therefore a celebration not only of intelligence alone, but also of endurance,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of lifelong learning, saying academic and personal development should not be limited by age or professional status.
“She has once again demonstrated that there is no expiry date for lifelong learning, ambition or personal development,” he said.
“Her journey reminds us that excellence is not an event it is a habit developed over many years through zeal, strength, courage, commitment and the willingness to keep moving forward even when the journey becomes difficult.”
Dr Baloyi-Chiwenga’s academic journey has spanned both military and civilian education.
She progressed through military training from cadetship to the Joint Command and Staff Course and the National Defence College, where she won the Commandant’s Book Prize for Defence and Security Studies.
Her civilian qualifications include a Higher National Diploma in Public Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese from the PLA Languages University in China, where her dissertation was adjudged the best graduating thesis.
She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications from the Zimbabwe Open University, a Master of Science in International Relations from the University of Zimbabwe and a Master of Business Administration from Midlands State University.
The Doctor of Business Leadership is her latest academic qualification.
“When one looks at this journey collectively, it becomes clear that this doctorate is not an isolated achievement,” VP Chiwenga said.
He also spoke of the sacrifices behind the qualification, saying he had witnessed first-hand the long hours devoted to research and writing.
“My dear wife, I congratulate you sincerely. Your achievement is a profound source of pride to our family. We have seen the sacrifice behind the success and we know that this moment represents many years of hard work,” he said.
Midlands State University lecturer and Dean Dr Miriam Mugwati described Dr Chiwenga as a dedicated and disciplined student who consistently met her academic obligations.
Dr Mugwati said lecturers never had to follow up with her over missed submission deadlines because she consistently submitted her work on time.
Lecturers also revealed that Dr Chiwenga underwent a public viva voce examination to defend her doctoral thesis before a panel, with some participants joining the proceedings virtually.
Family, friends, lecturers and senior Government officials attended the celebrations, among them Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture Minister Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Anselem Sanyatwe, Deputy
President of the Senate Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Mike Nyambuya and Prosecutor-General Loyce Matanda-Moyo.
