Thabo Mbeki expected in Zimbabwe today

FORMER South African President Mr Thabo Mbeki is expected in the country today to officiate at a dinner to launch a fundraising initiative for the University of Zimbabwe. The country's oldest university is seeking to raise at least US$70 million to recapitalise its operations.

The initiative is being spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara.

DPM Mutambara yesterday confirmed Mr Mbeki will arrive this afternoon.

"(former) President Mbeki is coming tomorrow (today) in the afternoon and will be met at the Harare International Airport by ministers and UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura," he said.

"He will then pay a courtesy call on President Mugabe at State House and will be the guest speaker of honour at the dinner to be held at the UZ in the evening."

DPM Mutambara said the dinner will also chronicle the history of the UZ since its inception in 1957.

"We have lined up speakers that are former students. We will review the history of the university since its inception," he said.

Some of the former students to speak will include Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe and former permanent secretary Ms Sarah Kachingwe who are part of the pioneer students.

Justice Mutambanengwe is the current chair of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

"The other speakers are the group from the 1960s that include Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, Retired Brigadier General Felix Muchemwa and the 1970s group that played a big role in resisting Ian Smith's Unilateral Declaration of Independence," said DPM Mutambara.