Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) has honoured 52 employees who have served the institution for 20 years and above, recognising their dedication, loyalty and contribution to the University’s growth during a Long Service Awards Ceremony held at the Herbert Chitepo Law School.
Delivering the Vice Chancellor’s speech, the Acting Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Business Development and Partnerships, Professor Marian Tukuta, said the ceremony celebrated employees whose commitment and professionalism had helped shape the University’s growth over the past two decades.
The Vice Chancellor described the awards as more than the presentation of gifts.
“Today’s ceremony is more than the presentation of awards. It is a celebration of character, resilience, dedication and service. It is an opportunity to honour men and women whose steadfast commitment has strengthened this institution and contributed to the advancement of higher education in Zimbabwe.”
He said dedicating two decades of service to one institution reflected an extraordinary commitment to higher education and national development.
Before delivering the address, Professor Tukuta invited guests to observe a moment of silence in honour of one of the recipients, the late Dr Dairai Dziwa, whose wife accepted the award on his behalf.
“Although he is absent in body, his legacy remains very much alive within this University. Today we remember and honour the late Dr Dairai Dziwa for his dedicated service to Great Zimbabwe University. May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace,” she said.
The Vice Chancellor said the awards also reflected the Government of Zimbabwe’s commitment to recognising human capital as the cornerstone of national development under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chancellor of Great Zimbabwe University, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Quoting the national mantra, Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, he said the aspirations of Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategies depended on dedicated, skilled and committed citizens, with universities playing a central role through quality teaching, research, innovation and community engagement.
The Vice Chancellor said employees had steered the University through major changes, including the transition from Education 3.0 to Heritage-Based Education 5.0.
“Whether you serve as an academic, administrator, technician, artisan, librarian, security officer, groundskeeper or support staff member, each one of you contributes to our transformation into an innovation-driven and industrialising university. Every role matters, and every contribution advances our collective mission.”
He said the recipients were custodians of the University’s institutional memory and thanked them for remaining committed through periods of economic hardship and institutional transition.
“You chose this University. You chose our students. You chose to continue serving Zimbabwe. There is profound dignity in such loyalty,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Assistant Registrar at the Herbert Chitepo Law School, Mrs Chengetai Siniwa, reflected on her journey from Secretary to Assistant Registrar, saying Great Zimbabwe University had provided opportunities for her professional growth and personal development.
Another recipient, Dr Agrippa Chingombe, a lecturer in the Robert Mugabe School of Heritage and Education, encouraged colleagues to continue supporting the University’s leadership, saying institutions thrive when staff and management work towards a common purpose.
Each of the 52 recipients received a branded Great Zimbabwe University blazer, a Certificate of Recognition and a cash award in appreciation of their dedicated service. They were also treated to a sumptuous lunch prepared by the University Canteen.