State universities draw ire over president’s honorary PhDs

Zimbabwean state universities have been criticised for dishing out four honorary degrees to President Emmerson Mnangagwa since he came to power less than two years ago after the army ousted former president Robert Mugabe.

The latest honorary degree to be awarded to Mnangagwa, who is chancellor of all state universities, was an honorary PhD in Defence and Security Studies bestowed last week during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Zimbabwe National Defence University, formerly the National Defence College.

In his citation, the university’s vice-chancellor, Air Vice Marshal Michael Moyo, said Mnangagwa had dedicated his life to the people of Zimbabwe. One of his most notable contributions to the university was his support for the institution in cabinet and parliament during attempts to derail the transformation of the college into a fully-fledged university.

The University of Zimbabwe, the country’s premier institution of higher learning, was the first to honour Mnangagwa in October last year with an honorary doctorate in law. The university said Mnangagwa was a proponent of justice and the rule of law. Within a week, another state-run institution, the Great Zimbabwe University, awarded him an honorary doctorate in politics and international relations in recognition of his “unparalleled” contribution to society. Two months’ later Mnangagwa received an honorary law degree from Midlands State University.

The University of Zambia followed in June this year with honorary doctorates in law for exceptional leadership and upholding the rule of law for both Mnangagwa and Zambian President Edgar Lungu.

Leadership weaknesses highlighted

Former Zimbabwe National Students Union leader Makomborero Haruzivishe said the awards are an attempt to “panel beat” Mnangagwa’s shortcomings by conferring him with honorary doctorates in areas of his specific weaknesses as a leader.

Regarding the degrees for governance, he said: “The intensified corruption, decaying economy, unprecedented human rights atrocities by the military under his command, and failure to deliver basic social services, make him the worst when it comes to good governance.

“The same can be said of the doctorate in politics and international relations. It is unrealistic considering that in less than two years under his reign we have failed to mend any relations with critical international partners or receive any meaningful foreign partnership, because of his failure to implement economic and political reforms,” he said.

“The honorary doctorate in law … and the PhD in defence and security … are a direct insult … because his tenure is characterised by the subversion of Zimbabwe's Constitution which may be an indicator as to why he disregards the law and bill of rights when advancing his power retention agenda during citizens’ demonstrations and elections.”

Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education, Daniel Fortune Molokele, said the only issue that needs to be addressed is the appointment of the president as chancellor of all state universities.

Universities have a right to award honorary doctorates to anyone they choose because they are supposed to be autonomous, he said.

“The only concern is that all state institutions are under the same chancellor which is something you do not find in other countries, for example, South Africa … That is something that Zimbabwe needs to consider,” said Molokele.

Tshwane University of Technology Senior Lecturer Ricky Mukonza said the conferment of honorary degrees by universities is accepted practice, but it must be justifiable.

“What has President Mnangagwa really done to merit these honorary degrees? I suspect it's just a way of getting the president's attention and, who knows, maybe favours later,” he said.

University ‘soiling’ its image

Upon news that the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) would award Mnangagwa an honorary degree, Zimbabwean public speaking coach and newspaper columnist Cyprian Muketiwa Ndawana wrote in the Newsday newspaper that the university was soiling its image.

He said the honorary law doctorate conferred on Mnangagwa was unmerited as his military takeover was contrary to the rule of law.

“Despite holding several portfolios since independence, his nomination for the degree is not commensurate with his track record. He was fingered, singularly and collectively, for masterminding most of the dark events of our history, including the Gukurahundi massacre,” said Ndawana.

“UZ invites scorn and ridicule to itself for bestowing such an honour on him,” he wrote.