MUTAPA Investment Fund chief executive officer John Mangudya will headline the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ)’s Gazaland University fundraising dinner dance set for this Friday at Royalgate Gardens in Chisipite, Harare.
Mangudya, who hails from Chimanimani, is expected to deliver the keynote address at what promises to be an evening of celebration and networking.
The high-profile event, organised by UCCZ and the Gazaland University Council, aims to mobilise resources for the completion of the institution’s administration and lecture blocks ahead of its official opening.
UCCZ president Rev John Matiza said the establishment of Gazaland University would significantly expand access to tertiary education across Chipinge, Chimanimani and western Mozambique.
“Once completed, Gazaland University is expected to significantly expand access to tertiary education across Chipinge, Chimanimani and Western Mozambique and this will go a long way to ensure transformative education is accessible to many,” he said.
Gazaland University Council chairperson Phillimon Mlambo said the dinner, running under the theme Actualising the Ideal Admin Block and Lecture Rooms, is part of ongoing efforts to raise funds for the project.
“This Gazaland University fundraising dinner dance is one of the many initiatives by the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe to assist the ramping up of efforts to raise funds towards the completion of the Gazaland University project,” he said.
Mlambo said the funds would go towards the final touches on the administration block and lecture rooms, including painting, tiling, plumbing and ceiling work.
“The fundraising dinner dance is open to everyone willing and able to support the Gazaland University project in any way. Our prayer is that we will be able to garner well-wishers and supportive friends as well as to forge forward-looking collaborations and networks through this seemingly small step, which is rather a very gigantic stride towards our cherished goals,” he said.
Mlambo described the Gazaland University fundraising dinner dance as a “publicity launchpad” for the university and a major step in introducing the institution to the nation while rallying support for its development.
He also appealed to individuals and corporates interested in infrastructural development partnerships to reach out to the university.
“We are thus delighted to invite those investors who may desire to partner us and invest in infrastructure development because, as UCCZ, we are happy with 10% of an elephant than 100% of a rat,” Mlambo said.
Caleb Mtetwa, the UCCZ Synod moderator, reiterated that “supporting this noble cause means contributing to our long-held dream of complementing government efforts towards education for all and the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.”
-AMH
