Makhurane buried in Gwanda

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Founding National University of Science and Technology (Nust) vice-chancellor Phineas Mogorosi Makhurane was buried in his rural home in Gwanda yesterday.

Founding National University of Science and Technology (Nust) vice-chancellor Phineas Mogorosi Makhurane was buried in his rural home in Gwanda yesterday.

By Luyanduhlobo Makwati

The late Professor Phineas Makhurane

Makhurane, who was declared a national hero, was buried in Gungwe in Gwanda South.

The burial was attended by Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo, minister of State in Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s office, Evelyn Ndlovu, and Defence and War Veterans deputy minister Victor Matemadanda, among other senior government and ruling party officials.

Khaya Moyo urged academics to emulate Makhurane’s good works.

“Professor Makhurane’s works are evident. he played his part both before and after independence. he assisted the current President Emmerson Mnangagwa to get a scholarship during the liberation struggle,” he said.

Former Matabeleland North education director Boitatelo Mnguni described the late Makhurane as a humble man who knew no tribe and loved to work for the country.

“I would like to say as a family we have lost a humble man who loved everyone and he was dedicated to work with people of different backgrounds. we lost a hero and no one can fill the gap,” she said.

The renowned academic’s son Lesedi described his father as an achiever who championed the education of black people during the colonial era and contributed immensely to the development of the country after independence.

Makhurane succumbed to diabetes at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo last Saturday.

In 1991 Makhurane oversaw the establishment of Nust, which became the second State university in Zimbabwe and the first such institution after independence.

Nicknamed “Double Brain”, Makhurane was one of the first Africans to major in Physics and Mathematics at the then University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, now University of Zimbabwe.

He was the first black Zimbabwean to acquire a PhD in the sciences before he proceeded to attain many high-level positions in the education sector in Southern Africa such as deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Botswana and pro vice-chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe.

He was very influential in the expansion of Nust’s infrastructure until his retirement in 2005 when he was succeeded by Lindela Ndlovu, who succumbed to diabetes in 2015.

Makhurane also served as chairman of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education from 1991 to 2004.  

He is survived by his wife, four children — three sons and a daughter — and six grandchildren.