UZ| A Pillar of Zimbabwe’s Economy

By Newton Mambande

HARARE – THE University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has long been regarded as one of Africa’s leading academic institutions. Historically, it was a brand of choice not only on the continent but also globally—and it still holds significant prestige today.

However, the university faces systemic challenges that predate the current administration under Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo. These issues can be traced back to the tenure of Professor Walter Kamba, who served during the chancellorship of the late President Robert Mugabe. When Professor Kamba encountered excessive political interference, he chose to resign. His successor, Professor Gordon Chavhunduka, had the shortest term in the institution’s history, raising questions about governance at the time.

The situation reportedly worsened under Professor Graham Hill, whose leadership was marred by allegations of corruption, including abuse of power, financial mismanagement, and irregularities in tender processes. Critics also accused Hill of authoritarian tendencies. These governance challenges appear to have persisted under subsequent leaders, including Professors Levy Nyagura and Paul Mapfumo.

The core issue, however, may not lie solely with individual leaders but with the broader system. As long as political influence remains a dominant factor, meaningful reform will be difficult. Currently, the university’s Chancellor is the sitting head of state, and key administrative positions are often filled by individuals with strong political affiliations. This creates an environment where decision-making may prioritize political loyalty over academic excellence.

To restore confidence, the university could consider structural reforms. For instance, the role of Chancellor could be separated from the presidency and entrusted to an independent expert—perhaps even an expatriate on a fixed-term contract—to ensure impartial leadership. Additionally, appointments to management positions should be based on merit rather than political considerations. An independent body comprising academics, business leaders, and civil society representatives could oversee governance, reducing direct government influence.

Financially, the university must address salary disparities to retain talent and prevent brain drain. Competitive remuneration aligned with global standards would help mitigate frequent strikes and staff turnover. Furthermore, the institution should streamline its ancillary business units, focusing on profitable ventures to sustainably fund academic operations.

The government could also incentivize research by rewarding lecturers who publish in reputable journals—a model successfully implemented in South Africa. Such measures would encourage academic productivity and attract expatriate scholars back to Zimbabwe.

While Zimbabwe upholds freedom of expression, public discussions about institutional shortcomings must be balanced with the need to protect the university’s reputation. The UZ administration should proactively address these challenges to safeguard its standing among alumni, current students, and prospective applicants.

Newton Mambande is an entrepreneur and researcher with published works in internationally acclaimed journals. He can be contacted at newtonmunod@gmail.com.