Online Reporter
Peter Matika [email protected]
CONSTRUCTION mogul James Ross Goddard, the man behind J R Goddard Contracting (Pvt) Ltd, was yesterday capped with a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil and Water Engineering in recognition of his four-decade footprint in shaping Zimbabwe’s infrastructure.
The 77-year-old tycoon, who founded the firm in 1982, could hardly contain his emotions as he received the honour. “I am truly amazed by this recognition. I am grateful to the people of Zimbabwe for honouring me. I am at a loss for words, this is truly amazing,” said an emotional Goddard.
From dams to highways, hospitals to upmarket suburbs, Goddard’s fingerprints are all over the country’s development map. Under his leadership, J R Goddard Contracting has executed more than 240 projects, employing over 2,000 Zimbabweans in the process.
He personally oversaw the construction of more than 170 dams, including Mpande and Mtilashokwe in Beitbridge, Bembezaan in Kwekwe, Rusitu in Chipinge, Nabu Arch in Insiza, How Mine Dam in Bulawayo, Biri Dam on the Manyame River, Mteri in Hippo Valley, and Lucilia Poort Arch Dam at Unki Mine in Shurugwi.
His company also spearheaded the extension of Mater Dei Hospital and the development of Hopeville suburb in northern Bulawayo, cementing his legacy as more than just a contractor but a city shaper.
Today, J R Goddard Contracting remains a giant in Zimbabwe’s construction and mining industry. At Eureka Gold Mine, the company moves up to 1.4 million tonnes of waste and ore monthly, producing about 170kg of gold. At Zimplats’ Ngezi South Pit Extension, they move around 700,000 tonnes a month.
For a man who started with earthworks in the early 80s, the honour of being capped with a PhD is the ultimate recognition of a life spent literally moving mountains.
