LEADERS in Matabeleland yesterday described the late Higher and Tertiary Education minister Stan Mudenge as a “very intelligent, resourceful and creative” man with a passion for the development of education in all provinces.
Report by Khanyile Mlotshwa Staff Reporter
Mudenge, who was Masvingo North MP, collapsed and died in his hotel room in the ancient town on Thursday. He was 71.
The chairperson of the Gwanda University steering committee, Calistus Ndlovu, said Mudenge was passionate about seeing that every province had a university.
“He was a very intelligent man, very resourceful and creative,” he said.
“He wrote a book on the history of ancient Zimbabwe, tying it to the history of Mozambique. The book was considered to be a great contribution to the history of this country. He used Portuguese sources that were not accessible to many people then.
“As a minister, I worked with him when we were establishing Gwanda University. He was the one who set up the committee that I chair. He was interested in seeing every province establish a university. He was a great intellectual and those who worked with him in the Cabinet will agree with me that his contributions were very seminal and critical.”
Historian Phathisa Nyathi said Mudenge would be missed “for his love of academic excellence”.
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“He was a very fine historian, especially on the Mutapa state history. The Research and Intellectual Expo (RIE) was his brainchild and I was in that committee alongside academics. He was somebody who loved academic excellence.”
Mudenge’s deputy, Lutho Tapela, said it was hard to imagine who would replace Mudenge as minister.
“I valued him as a minister despite the fact that we were in different political parties,” he said.
“We worked very well. As a politician, what I liked most about him is that he never resorted to hate speech.
“He handled the ministry very well and I am just imagining who will replace him. Zimbabwe has lost a knowledgeable person and a good administrator.”
Zanu PF was, at the time of going to press, yet to meet to decide Mudenge’s hero status.
Burial arrangements were also yet to be announced.
