IN a momentous stride for education and regional development, Manicaland Province has welcomed its fifth university, Bishop Abel Tendekai Muzorewa University. The launch marks, not only an expansion of academic infrastructure, but a profound tribute to a man whose life bridged faith, leadership, and the pursuit of justice.
Nestled in the heart of Manicaland near Rusape Town, the new university stands as a testament to the region’s commitment to intellectual growth and social transformation.
With its serene surroundings and proximity to Old Mutare — the cradle of United Methodist Church missions in Zimbabwe where the late Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa was born — the location is both symbolic and strategic.
It echoes the legacy of Africa University, which was established in 1992 in the same province through the vision and generosity of Bishop Muzorewa himself.
The late Bishop Muzorewa was more than a cleric. He was a statesman, a nationalist, and the first African bishop of the United Methodist Church in the then Rhodesia.
His role in Zimbabwe’s transition to majority rule and his brief tenure as Prime
Minister of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia in 1979 placed him at the crossroads of history.
Naming the university after him is a deliberate act of remembrance — an effort to enshrine his values of peace, education, and empowerment.
The launch of Bishop Abel Muzorewa University comes at a critical time as Zimbabwe is facing mounting challenges in youth unemployment, brain drain, and educational access.
By expanding tertiary education in Manicaland, the university aims to increase regional enrollment, offering programmes tailored to local industries like agriculture, mining, and tourism.
In fostering leadership, the university aims at building on Bishop Muzorewa’s legacy to cultivate ethical and visionary leaders.
Beyond Manicaland, the university is poised to become a Pan-African hub for dialogue and development.
Its affiliation with the United Methodist Church, and its emphasis on peace building position it as a moral compass in a region often fractured by political and economic instability.
The late Bishop Muzorewa once said: “We must build, not only with bricks, but with belief.”
Today, that belief stands tall in the Eastern Highlands.
The late bishop’s vision also resonates well with the development philosophy of President Mnangagwa’s Nyika inovakwa, igotongwa nekunamatirwa nevene vayo.
This was also expounded by Defence Minister, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri during a Bishop A.T Muzorewa Inaugural Dinner at a local hotel last Saturday.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said: “As early as 1972, Bishop Muzorewa’s teachings emphasised developing citizens to have specialised skills such as medicine, law, science, agriculture, industry and commerce which is testament to his forward thinking. His thinking resonates well with the development philosophy by our President, Dr ED Mnangagwa that Nyika inovakwa, igotongwa nekunamatirwa nevene vayo.
“The launch of the Bishop AT Muzorewa Evangelism Foundation in 2005, 60 years after his ministry began is a fitting tribute to his legacy. The Foundation’s decision to establish an autonomous university bearing the name of our late nationalist is a remarkable achievement. I commend the board of directors for fulfilling the vision of our late nationalist, that of advancing human capital development in pursuit of national development. We are proud that Bishop AT Muzorewa University is now established, and will open its doors to students in August 2026. The main campus will be situated in Makoni District which is in keeping with the development facility of President Mnangagwa of not leaving anyone and no community behind.
“I stand as a witness for the good works of Bishop Muzorewa. My first trip to America was facilitated by him. His generosity provided me with a scholarship to study my bachelor’s degree in America.”
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the Second Republic has carried on with the liberation legacy of fostering national unity across all communities, regions and ethnicities.
“Our liberation struggle did not know any tribal or regional boundaries. We must learn from our forefathers who left a legacy of unity, peace and development.
We have a responsibility to build a united people for the sake of prosperity. The late Bishop Muzorewa was known as a fearless preacher who delivered powerful and spiritually filled sermons. He was a statesman with a charismatic character, the epitome of wisdom and a negotiator. He was a peace-loving man who wanted to see united families and nations.
“In the 1970s, when all political leaders were locked up in detention camps and prisons, the late Bishop Muzorewa was instrumental in mobilising the masses to vote against the British Pearce Commission. It is worth noting that Bishop Muzorewa mediated for the release of nationalist leaders who among them the late Dr Joshua Nkomo, the late Cde Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole and the late former President, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe. The release from captivity enabled the nationalists to go to exile and launch a more intense liberation campaign.
Additionally, the late bishop assisted by recruiting young men and women to join the armed struggle through the evangelism messages he preached nationwide.
The United Nations presented him with Human Rights award in 1973 in recognition of his sacrificial contributions,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri who also donated US$10 000 to the new academic institution.
The university board chairman, Mr Ernest Muzorewa, who also served as the late bishop’s personal assistant, said their first enrolment will be in August 2026, while short courses will be on offer as early as January next year.
He said although their main site will be at Mabvuwo Mountain on the outskirts of Rusape Town, they will be using Pamugodo Lodge and United Methodist Church offices in Rusape as their temporary homes while construction will be underway.
He said the establishment of Bishop Abel Muzorewa University in Rusape represents a transformative milestone for both the town and the wider Makoni District.
“As an institution of higher learning, the university is poised to become a catalyst for educational, economic, social, and infrastructural development in a region that has long awaited such an opportunity. Its presence will, not only elevate the academic profile of the area, but also stimulate growth across multiple sectors, reshaping the future of Rusape and its surrounding communities.
“One of the most immediate and profound benefits of the university is the expansion of access to higher education. For decades, students from Rusape and Makoni District have had to travel to distant cities such as Mutare, Harare, or Bulawayo to pursue university studies, often at great financial and emotional cost. Bishop Muzorewa University will eliminate this barrier by offering local access to tertiary education, thereby increasing enrollment rates and reducing dropout rates caused by logistical challenges.
‘‘The university is expected to tailor its academic programmes to reflect the needs and strengths of the region, with a focus on agriculture, education, business, and environmental sciences. This alignment will ensure that graduates are equipped with practical skills that directly contribute to the development of their communities. Economically, the university will inject new life into Rusape’s business landscape.
‘‘The influx of students, faculty, and administrative staff will create demand for housing, food, transportation, and other services, thereby stimulating local entrepreneurship. Small businesses such as restaurants, stationery shops, and internet cafés will flourish, while larger enterprises may be drawn to invest in the town’s growing market.
‘‘Additionally, the university itself will become a major employer, offering jobs in teaching, administration, maintenance, and security. This will help reduce unemployment and improve livelihoods, especially among youths,” said Mr Muzorewa.
The university will start with five faculties, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; Faculty of Business Development Studies, Faculty of Theology and Community Engagements, Faculty of Healing and Allied Sciences and Faculty of Computer Sciences and Information Systems.