MSU graduation ceremony set for Friday . . . varsity’s long-serving lecturer dies

THE 2017 Midlands State University (MSU) graduation ceremony will be held on Friday contrary to claims that it has been cancelled.

In a notice yesterday, MSU said the graduation ceremony will be held at the institution’s main campus in Senga, Gweru.

Social media was yesterday awash with claims that the graduation ceremony had been postponed.

“Midlands State University wishes to advise its valued stakeholders and graduands that the 2017 graduation ceremony will be held on Friday at the Gweru Main Campus,” said the university.

“Graduands and guests are required to be seated by 9am.”

The university said graduands and guests’ invitation cards were ready for collection at Gweru Main Campus from respective faculty offices.

“Graduands who are unable to collect their invitation cards by Wednesday, November 22, can collect them on the rehearsals day, Thursday, November 23,” said the university. “Rehearsals will commence at 1400 hours at the Gweru Main Campus. Please note, all graduands are strongly encouraged to attend the rehearsals in order to participate in the ceremony.”

Meanwhile, Gweru mayor Councillor MIDLANDS State University (MSU) acting director in the Press and Publication Department Dr Samson Rwadzi Mhlahlo, has died.

Dr Mhlahlo (70) collapsed at his home in Southdowns, Gweru, on Sunday.

MSU director of Information and Public Relations Mrs Mirirai Mawere confirmed the death of Dr Mhlahlo in a statement to the media.

“Dr Mhlahlo collapsed on Sunday 19

Charles Chikozho said the rehabilitation of Senga round about turn-off road, which ends at MSU main campus gate in preparation for the graduation ceremony, was at an advanced state.

He said the road, which is being resurfaced, will be completed by Friday, as the contractor Bitumen World was working flat out to make sure that it is usable come the graduation ceremony day.

“The rehabilitation of Senga Road is almost complete and we expect the process to be completed by graduation day,” said Cllr Chikozho. “Council is also rehabilitating the road connecting Senga and Nehosho suburbs.” November 2017 and passed away the same day,” she said. “A church service will be held on Thursday 23 November at 9am at the Gweru Central Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and burial will be held the same day at 12pm at Mtapa Cemetery in Gweru.”

Dr Mhlahlo joined MSU on March 1, 2000 as the acting chairperson in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

He was appointed as a proctor from January 2005 to December 2005.

Dr Mhlahlo was later appointed as a substantive chairperson in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies in 2005. In 2010, Dr Mhlahlo was appointed Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences. He rose to the position of Acting Dean in March 2013 and was later confirmed as the Executive Dean. Dr Mhlahlo was the Acting Director in the Press and Publications Department from January this year until the time of his death. He was born in Gweru on Christmas Day in 1947.

Dr Mhlahlo graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree Geography at Southlands College, University of London, in 1978. He went on to graduate with a Masters degree in Geography in 1997 from the University College, University of London. In 2011, he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Midlands State University.

Last month, MSU lost its deputy registrar Mr Benjamin Musekiwa Taguta who died after a short illness in Mutare.