Zimbabwean business leader Shingai Mutasa is among Africa University’s newest crop of graduates. The university awarded Mutasa the degree of Doctor of Business Leadership (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his efforts to advance ethical business practices and grow investment in Africa.
Your support of the Africa University Fund apportionment supports the general operating expenses of Africa University including faculty and staff salaries and vital infrastructure.
Mutasa is the millionaire entrepreneur and visionary behind Masawara—a a pan-African investment company with holdings in financial services, technology, real estate, agro-chemicals and hospitality.
“History matters,” said Mutasa, as he accepted the honorary doctorate during the July 3 commencement. He announced his desire to invest in training and research opportunities in the disciplines of archaeology and artificial intelligence at Africa University.
“Without clarity of the journey traveled thus far, the way forward is random,” said Mutasa. “The building up of this institution, this Africa University, bodes well for the future of our nation, for Africa, and for the church on this continent.”
The ties that bind the Mutasa’s family, The United Methodist Church and Africa University date back to the 1890s. Shingai Mutasa’s grandfather, Chief Tendai, granted land to colonialist Cecil Rhodes in exchange for educational opportunities for his people. Rhodes ceded a portion of that land to Bishop Joseph Crane Hartzell, who founded the Old Mutare Methodist Mission Center—home to a hospital, elementary and secondary schools, and an orphanage.
About 1542 acres of that initial land grant from Chief Tendai constitutes the Africa University main campus today. In 1988, it was donated to the institution by The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe as the first gift towards the founding of Africa University.
Andra M. Stevens, Director, Communications, Africa University Development Office
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Africa University Fund transforms Africa by educating and empowering students from across the continent through Africa University, the first fully accredited, United Methodist-related educational institution on the continent. The Africa University Fund supports the general operating expenses of Africa University including faculty and staff salaries and vital infrastructure. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Africa University Fund at 100 percent.
