President consoles Mafoti family

THE late industrial chemist Professor Robson Mafoti (pictured right) was a path-breaking academic who was dedicated to the service of his nation through science and research, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya has said.

In a condolence message to the Mafoti family, Dr Rushwaya said Prof Mafoti was a top chemist and researcher, who championed innovative ways to enhance industrial production in the country.

Prof Mafoti, a former Presidential advisor and leading scientist and researcher, died in India on Wednesday last week. He was 74.

“On behalf of His Excellency the President, Vice Presidents and the entire Office of the President and Cabinet, I want to express my sincere condolences to the Mafoti family for losing a family giant, husband, father and grandfather at the age of 74 when he had huge plans of setting up his own research centre and hub, in line with national goals, ”he said.

“The late Professor Mafoti was instrumental at the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC), where he championed new engineering techniques, including reverse engineering and domesticated lessons learnt from South Korea and other countries, for the benefit of the local industry.

“He only retired into farming from SIRDC in June this year, leaving a track record of high commitment to the scientific and technological advancement of Zimbabwe.

“Indeed, the late Professor Mafoti was a renowned scholar and a holder of more than 100 local and international patents.”

Prof Mafoti, he added, was active in the setting up of an Inter-Ministerial Committee that sought to foster synergies between research and industry.

“He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Food and Nutrition Council of Zimbabwe and the introduction of the Korea Africa Food and Agricultural Cooperation Initiative, which helped improve food security in the country through learning from the case study of Hwedza and introduction of drought-resistant Sida maize seed variety. He also initiated the production of mushrooms, herbal teas and livestock vaccines.”

Notably, Dr Rushwaya said, the late academic was instrumental in the establishment of the Pan-African Minerals University of Science and Technology, “which regrettably did not materialise”.

In 2019, he was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council. He was also a member of various boards and was a recipient of the Robert Mugabe Commendation Award for his service in human capital development.