HARARE - Zimbabwe music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi and a host of other luminaries in the country, including Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa, are de...
HARARE - Zimbabwe music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi and a host of other luminaries in the country, including Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa, are deserving recipients of doctorate degrees that were conferred last week, the Philanthropy Institute of Zimbabwe (PIZ) has said.
Explaining the criterion that was used to select recipients of the doctorate degrees in letters, Erico Sibanda, PIZ facilitator, said the 10 selected persons had touched lives in a distinguished fashion that qualifies them for recognition.
This comes as a cross section of Zimbabweans castigated local academic institutions for failing to reward successful locals only to cry foul when other establishments to do it.
According to Sibanda, the select 10 were recommended by their communities above 10 others who failed to meet the yardstick.
There has been heated debate over PIZ qualification to offer honorary degrees when it is not a university, but Sibanda said the practice of conferring letters doctorates is common worldwide, especially in churches and not limited only to academic institutions.
Academics yesterday poured cold water on PIZ which is affiliated to the International Institute of Philanthropy, but Sibanda, whose organisation is legally registered under the country’s laws, said they are unfazed by the criticism.
“PIZ has no business with Zimche, (Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education), and or any other academic body or authority.
“It is a non academic entity. It would be inappropriate for the institute to approach an academic office yet they are none academic entities conferring none academic Honorius causa,” said Sibanda.
PIZ is registered by the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property and can accord “bestow Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters to deserving candidates as deemed by the Institute” according to their registered deed.
Despite his immense contribution to the music and reaching international stardom, academic institutions in the country are yet to recognise Mtukudzi, an idol for many Zimbabweans.
“Tuku has not only made a significant contribution to the music industry, he has built a legacy that will live on even when he is gone.
“We cannot just address him as Tuku he is a doctor.
“We have no regret that we gave him the degree,” said Sibanda.
Apart from Tuku other recipients of the doctorate degrees include Isabel Chihuri, former Zimbabwe National Roads Administration chief executive officer Frank Chitukutuku, Avenues Clinic managing director Merissa Kambani and Pastor Ruth Musarurwa of Christ Embassy.
Moonlight Funeral Assurance chief executive Chomi Makina, an Avondale Primary School headmistress and Sibanda himself were also cited as outstanding philanthropists.
Sibanda said Chihuri has transformed lives of women in the police force through projects that also assist those who have lost family members through death.
“People only know of the police as law enforcement agents but fail to appreciate that they are also human beings.
“Dr Chihuri has been taking care of many people in the police force, starting projects to empower bereaved families. Philanthropy is not only about donations it also includes giving time and space to the community,” said Sibanda.
The 26-year old, who has also transformed lives of juvenile prisoners by introducing sports and
‘O’ Level classes at Hwahwa prison, said it is only prudent to recognise persons while they are still alive.
“Look at the contribution that Dr. Makandiwa has done. She has helped communities in a very big way and we are not ashamed to call her Dr. Prophetess Makandiwa.
“We don’t wait for approval to recognise such persons because they are deserving and we also have the legal basis,” said Sibanda.
Members of the public yesterday criticised local academic institutions for failing to honour locals with degrees.
Emma Mataruse from Glen View welcomed the conferring of the doctorate degrees by PIZ, saying this was long overdue.
“Who will honour our own when we can’t, so be it for our top achievers like Tuku, Mai Makandiwa, Mai Musarurwa and others. Most people like what was done to honour these people and we hope they will honour more,” said Mataruse.
A reader from Beitbridge, Nomore Nleya said honouring people like Prophetess Makandiwa and Tuku was long overdue and attacked local universities for failing to do so.
Thabiso Tshuma from Bulawayo said: “Where were these so-called academic institutions all along?
“Why are they coming out now. These 10 people including Mai Chihuri deserve the honour and people should not just be jealous over nothing. People like Tuku have done a lot and they deserve to be honoured.”
Explaining the criterion that was used to select recipients of the doctorate degrees in letters, Erico Sibanda, PIZ facilitator, said the 10 selected persons had touched lives in a distinguished fashion that qualifies them for recognition.
This comes as a cross section of Zimbabweans castigated local academic institutions for failing to reward successful locals only to cry foul when other establishments to do it.
According to Sibanda, the select 10 were recommended by their communities above 10 others who failed to meet the yardstick.
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| Tuku, Prophetess Makandiwa degrees justified |
Academics yesterday poured cold water on PIZ which is affiliated to the International Institute of Philanthropy, but Sibanda, whose organisation is legally registered under the country’s laws, said they are unfazed by the criticism.
“PIZ has no business with Zimche, (Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education), and or any other academic body or authority.
“It is a non academic entity. It would be inappropriate for the institute to approach an academic office yet they are none academic entities conferring none academic Honorius causa,” said Sibanda.
PIZ is registered by the Department of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property and can accord “bestow Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters to deserving candidates as deemed by the Institute” according to their registered deed.
Despite his immense contribution to the music and reaching international stardom, academic institutions in the country are yet to recognise Mtukudzi, an idol for many Zimbabweans.
“Tuku has not only made a significant contribution to the music industry, he has built a legacy that will live on even when he is gone.
“We cannot just address him as Tuku he is a doctor.
“We have no regret that we gave him the degree,” said Sibanda.
Apart from Tuku other recipients of the doctorate degrees include Isabel Chihuri, former Zimbabwe National Roads Administration chief executive officer Frank Chitukutuku, Avenues Clinic managing director Merissa Kambani and Pastor Ruth Musarurwa of Christ Embassy.
Moonlight Funeral Assurance chief executive Chomi Makina, an Avondale Primary School headmistress and Sibanda himself were also cited as outstanding philanthropists.
Sibanda said Chihuri has transformed lives of women in the police force through projects that also assist those who have lost family members through death.
“People only know of the police as law enforcement agents but fail to appreciate that they are also human beings.
“Dr Chihuri has been taking care of many people in the police force, starting projects to empower bereaved families. Philanthropy is not only about donations it also includes giving time and space to the community,” said Sibanda.
The 26-year old, who has also transformed lives of juvenile prisoners by introducing sports and
‘O’ Level classes at Hwahwa prison, said it is only prudent to recognise persons while they are still alive.
“Look at the contribution that Dr. Makandiwa has done. She has helped communities in a very big way and we are not ashamed to call her Dr. Prophetess Makandiwa.
“We don’t wait for approval to recognise such persons because they are deserving and we also have the legal basis,” said Sibanda.
Members of the public yesterday criticised local academic institutions for failing to honour locals with degrees.
Emma Mataruse from Glen View welcomed the conferring of the doctorate degrees by PIZ, saying this was long overdue.
“Who will honour our own when we can’t, so be it for our top achievers like Tuku, Mai Makandiwa, Mai Musarurwa and others. Most people like what was done to honour these people and we hope they will honour more,” said Mataruse.
A reader from Beitbridge, Nomore Nleya said honouring people like Prophetess Makandiwa and Tuku was long overdue and attacked local universities for failing to do so.
Thabiso Tshuma from Bulawayo said: “Where were these so-called academic institutions all along?
“Why are they coming out now. These 10 people including Mai Chihuri deserve the honour and people should not just be jealous over nothing. People like Tuku have done a lot and they deserve to be honoured.”
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