Ngwabi Bhebhe

Career

In 1965/6, Professor Bhebhe started working as a temporary teacher at Chegato High School. This opportunity was given to him by his former principal, Mr Tore Bergman, along with Phinias Makhurane. During his time there, Bhebhe taught history to his students, including July Moyo, Dr. Jorum Gumbo, and Dr. Philip Bhebe.

In 1974, Professor Ngwabi Bhebhe began teaching history at Faurah Bay College in Sierra Leone. The following year, he joined the University of Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland, with his base being in Swaziland. During his time there, he held positions such as Deputy Dean and later Dean of Humanities on the Swaziland Campus.

In 1982, Bhebhe started lecturing at the University of Zimbabwe. He served as a Professor of History from 1988 to 1999. Additionally, he worked as an external examiner at the universities of Botswana, Malawi, and Zambia. Bhebhe also had teaching roles at the University of Rhodesia and Princeton University.

Professor Bhebhe held various leadership positions at the University of Zimbabwe. He served as the Chairperson of the History Department from 1989 to 1992, as well as the Chairperson of the Research Board from 1984 to 1991. Furthermore, he held the roles of Senior Proctor and later Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the university from 1992 to 1995.

These are some of the positions he held

• Zimbabwe representative on the UNESCO Executive Board
• Council Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
• Alternate Members of the Governing Board of the Association of African Universities (AAU)
• Founding and Executive Member of the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA)
• Board Member of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE), and Chairperson of the * Council’s Funding and Finance Committee
• Board Members of ZISCOSTEEL Pvt Ltd Zimbabwe, Chairperson of the Human Resource Management * Committee and Member of the Finance Committee.
• Country Researcher, and Member of the Management Board of the Hashim Mbita SADC Liberation Struggle Project,
• Non-Executive Director of Ngwabi Enterprises.
• Founding Member and second Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Universities Vice-Chancellor Association (ZUVCA).^[3][4]

In February 2020, Bhebhe was appointed by Emmerson Mnangagwa as a Trustee of the Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust (ZMMT). ZMMT is mandated to manage state media and related companies outside the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. Its media empire includes New Ziana and Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Pvt Ltd and Kingstons Holdings.^[5]

During his time as Vice-Chancellor, MSU was awarded the International Gold Star for Quality, ‘in recognition of its outstanding commitment to quality and excellence', in Geneva, Switzerland and received further recognition for its commitment to excellence, landing yet another prestigious International Star for Leadership in Quality. The award was received in 2016.^[6]

His Death and National Hero Status

Professor Ngwabi Bhebhe died on Friday, 17 November 2023 aged 81 years old.^[7]

Although the cause of his death was not revealed, he had previously shared that he experienced heart problems, which caused him to collapse while in his office. As a result, he had to travel to India for treatment and used a wheelchair during that time. Bhebhe believed that regular medical attention and seeking treatment when necessary are key to a healthy life and living longer. He mentioned that while he did not engage in vigorous exercise, he compensated for it by working physically hard. He recalled his upbringing in rural areas where running was a common activity, particularly when chasing cattle. In his later years, he mentioned that playing golf was the only form of training he engaged in.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whom Bhebhe referred to as his "nephew," declared him a national hero.

References