Prof Makhurane declared national hero

“After independence, he continued to contribute to the country’s education and we then all agreed that in terms of the upliftment of the nation of Zimbabwe educationally, Cde Makhurane excelled and he had contributed quite a lot to what Zimbabwe is today and therefore that recognition should not go unnoticed.”

Prof Makhurane’s son, Moketsi expressed gratitude to the Government for conferring national hero status to his father.

“On behalf of the family we appreciate the honour bestowed upon our father by the Government for contributing to the liberation struggle. The family expresses gratitude for the recognition,” he said.

Family spokesperson, Mr Joshua Mpofu, last evening, told mourners that the programme was not yet ready.

He said they were still in the process of liaising with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage.

Mr Mpofu said the decision to inter the body of Prof Makhurane at his rural home was in line with the academic’s wish.

“We sat down as a family and deliberated on the issue of burial and it was resolved that his (Prof Makhurane) wishes should be honoured hence he will be buried at Gungwe. We will, however, notify you about the programme tomorrow (today) as we are still making arrangement with the relevant Government structures,” he said.

Prof Makhurane was born in Gwanda in 1939 and did his primary education in the district before enrolling at Chegato in Mberengwa, Manama in Gwanda, Mnene again in Mberengwa and Fletcher High School in Gweru for his secondary education.

He went to the then University of Rhodesia (now University of Zimbabwe) for his first degree where he majored in Mathematics and Physics and proceeded to the United Kingdom where he attained a Masters’ degree and a PhD in Physics.

Prof Makhurane later worked as a lecturer at the University of Zambia where he helped many locals and Zambians, including President Mnangagwa, to get scholarships.

He also worked at the University of Botswana where he was Dean of the Faculty of Science until independence when he decided to come back home to work at the University of Zimbabwe where he became the Pro Vice-Chancellor, before moving to the University of Science and Technology (Nust) as the Vice Chancellor.

Prof Makhurane was tasked by Government to be a technical advisor in higher education and was appointed Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (Zimche) chairperson until his retirement.

He also played a big role in the planning of the establishment of the University of Gwanda. Prof Makhurane was Zapu’s representative in Sweden during the struggle for independence. He is survived by his wife, four children — three sons and a daughter — and six grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at Number 2 Marion Road, Fourwinds, Bulawayo. —@mashnets THE late national hero and founding National University of Science and Technology (Nust) Vice Chancellor, Professor Phinias Makhurane, has been described as a man of purpose who produced some of the country’s top university administrators.

Zanu-PF spokesperson, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, said the late national hero was a man of purpose and had left a lasting legacy for future generations.

“He was a solid person, an accomplished giant. A man of purpose. A total human being. A man of impressive skills. A man of unassuming standing and enviable humility. Those who knew him well can testify that his contribution to this nation was not only immense but immeasurable. A distinguished scholar of international repute,” he said.

Cde SK Moyo said although Prof Makhurane hailed from Matabeleland South, he belonged to Zimbabwe.

“His attributes remain a lasting legacy for generations to come. He was indeed a jewel to humanity. He has departed for higher responsibility. He will return. He was indeed a man of purpose, principled and admirable perservance. A ‘double brain’ as he was known in many informed circles. A perfect genius,” he said.

Cde SK Moyo who had stood up to give his vote of thanks at the memorial service broke the news to the mourners that Prof Makhurane had been declared a national hero,