Why Auxillia Mnangagwa’s PhD fails to inspire Zimbabweans

This was amplified by the highly publicized celebratory gathering organized by Zimbabwean authorities in Chiweshe to “congratulate” her for this supposed academic feat.

For a nation struggling with severe economic challenges, widespread poverty, and a broken education system, the sheer scale of this event was puzzling.

What was so extraordinary about her accomplishment that warranted such pomp and fanfare?

In today’s Zimbabwe, earning a PhD is no longer a rarity.

Many Zimbabweans, including women, have reached such academic milestones, often without any public recognition.

For the First Lady, however, the attainment of her degree was presented as if it were an unprecedented breakthrough, deserving of national celebration.

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This is where the skepticism begins.

Such overt celebrations seem more like a public relations exercise aimed at over-compensating for the widespread doubts surrounding the authenticity of her academic credentials.

Critics have pointed out that Auxillia Mnangagwa earned her degree from a university where her husband, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, serves as chancellor, raising serious questions about the integrity of the process.

In a nation with a history of dubious academic qualifications among the political elite, comparisons to former First Lady Grace Mugabe, whose PhD was revoked under a cloud of scandal, are inevitable.

This backdrop fuels the perception that the entire exercise was orchestrated to lend her a veneer of intellectual credibility, which might otherwise not have been earned under normal academic scrutiny.

Moreover, the narrative that Auxillia’s academic achievement serves as an inspiration to the “girl child from disadvantaged communities” is deeply problematic.

The First Lady’s privileged position as the spouse of the President of Zimbabwe disqualifies her from being a relatable figure to ordinary Zimbabweans.

How does someone from one of the most powerful families in the country, with virtually unlimited resources and access to the best opportunities, serve as an inspiration to children from impoverished backgrounds?

If anything, her journey demonstrates the benefits of marrying into wealth and political power, rather than the fruits of personal struggle, hard work, and resilience.

In contrast, someone like Maud Chifamba epitomizes genuine inspiration for Zimbabwe’s disadvantaged youth.

Born into poverty, Maud’s story is one of extraordinary determination and intellect.

Due to her guardian’s inability to pay school fees for her, Maud taught herself through home-schooling, completed her Ordinary Level examinations in just two years, and became Zimbabwe’s youngest university student at the age of 14.

Despite her humble upbringing and lack of resources, Maud defied the odds and excelled academically, earning international acclaim.

Her story, unlike Auxillia Mnangagwa’s, resonates with the struggles and aspirations of millions of Zimbabwean children.

Yet, Maud’s achievements were not celebrated with national gatherings or state-sponsored fanfare.

Most Zimbabweans, particularly in rural areas, likely have never heard her name, as her story received little to no support from the government.

This glaring disparity in recognition highlights a troubling trend in Zimbabwe.

Instead of celebrating authentic heroes—those who have overcome incredible odds to achieve greatness—the state prefers to glorify individuals whose success is closely tied to their proximity to political power.

This not only demoralizes the general public but also sends a harmful message that the only path to success in Zimbabwe is through connections and privilege.

It is also worth noting that this celebration of Auxillia Mnangagwa’s academic achievement took place against the backdrop of a collapsing education system.

Zimbabwean schools, particularly in rural areas, are underfunded, poorly resourced, and often lack qualified teachers.

Many children are forced to drop out due to unaffordable fees or the need to support their families.

Universities, too, are plagued by underfunding, strikes, and declining standards.

For the ruling elite to flaunt academic achievements while presiding over such a decayed education system is nothing short of an insult to ordinary Zimbabweans.

Furthermore, the state-controlled media’s attempts to frame Auxillia Mnangagwa’s PhD as a groundbreaking achievement reveal a deep-seated desperation for validation.

The First Lady’s subsequent academic qualifications, earned after marrying Mnangagwa, have been facilitated by the resources and privileges that come with being the spouse of a powerful political figure.

For many, this undermines the credibility of her academic pursuits.

Education, when achieved under such circumstances, loses its inspirational value, as it becomes synonymous with the advantages of wealth and power rather than merit or hard work.

Zimbabwe needs to recalibrate its definition of heroism and inspiration.

True heroes are those who uplift and empower others through their actions, not those who use their positions of privilege to further their own agendas.

If the government genuinely seeks to inspire the nation’s youth, it should focus on celebrating individuals like Maud Chifamba, whose achievements reflect the values of perseverance, resourcefulness, and excellence despite adversity.

The grand celebrations for Auxillia Mnangagwa’s PhD, therefore, appear as little more than a political exercise aimed at bolstering the first Family’s image.

This is not only a disservice to genuine achievers but also a mockery of the struggles faced by ordinary Zimbabweans.

For a nation grappling with economic hardships, systemic corruption, and an ever-widening gap between the elite and the rest of the population, such displays of privilege are deeply tone-deaf and insensitive.

In conclusion, there is nothing particularly inspiring about someone married to the President of Zimbabwe earning a PhD under questionable circumstances.

What Zimbabwe needs are real role models—people whose lives and achievements reflect the hopes and struggles of the majority.

By choosing to celebrate privilege over merit, the government not only alienates its people but also diminishes the value of true inspiration.

It is time for Zimbabwe to honor its real heroes and provide its youth with examples of genuine excellence, not mere symbols of power and privilege.

• Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 | +263782283975, or email: mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com, or visit website: https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/