Dexter Nduna, the former Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Chegutu West, achieved a significant personal milestone this Friday by graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). However, Nduna’s academic accomplishment has not been without its share of controversy.
The ex-legislator’s graduation was marred by allegations circulating on social media. A post by a user identified as Cde Andrew Maimba claimed that Nduna had managed to don a graduation gown and attend the ceremony despite failing several modules. Maimba’s post suggested that Nduna had not legitimately earned his place among the graduands and had instead fraudulently acquired his gown.
“Vanombozvida here ma lecturer epa UZ munhu anoti kana afoira ovavhunditsira achiti ndiri we Zanu PF. Hon Dexter Nduna Chegutu West today decided to get a gown from the street and wore it to make believe. He is not on the list of graduands from the faculty of law coz akafoira foira ma modules hobho hobho,” Maimba wrote.
In response to these accusations, Nduna dismissed the critic as a “mad man” and provided proof of his legitimate enrollment and payment for the graduation gown. He shared a receipt from the university that confirmed his status as a graduating student.
The graduation ceremony was presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who, as Chancellor of all State universities, conferred degrees upon a record 6,778 graduates. This cohort marks the first to graduate under the Second Republic’s Heritage-Based Education 5.0 initiative, a reform launched in 2020 aimed at integrating heritage and practical skills into higher education.
UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo emphasized the significance of the day, noting that it represented the culmination of the new educational philosophy’s first cycle. “This marks the full cycle of implementation of the new programs, which you launched in December 2020. Congratulations,” Mapfumo stated.
Among the notable graduates were Tafadzwa Mugwadi, the legislator for Buhera West, who also earned a law degree, and Michael Madiro, the chairman of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) board, who received a Master of Laws degree in Commercial Law. While Nduna’s graduation has sparked debate, the event underscored the ongoing evolution of Zimbabwe’s higher education landscape, reflecting both advancements and challenges within the sector.
