Mnangagwa caps wife at MSU graduation

President Emmerson Mnangagwa proudly capped his wife, Auxillia Mnangagwa, who graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the Midlands State University (MSU) graduation ceremony in Gweru on Thursday.

The First Lady's PhD thesis, titled The Efficiency of Hotels in Zimbabwe: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach, was conferred by MSU, marking a significant academic milestone in her extensive academic journey. Auxillia was one of 6,479 graduands who received various degrees during the ceremony.
A Milestone in Education

This latest academic achievement is part of a series of accolades the First Lady has accumulated since her husband's rise to the presidency in November 2017. Her education journey began with secretarial studies at Silveira House in Chishawasha, before she entered the Manpower Planning and Development ministry in 1981. She also studied hotel and tourism administration in Switzerland, graduating with a degree in 2001. In 2008, Auxillia graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree from MSU.

Beyond her formal education, the First Lady holds several honorary doctorates, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Law from the University of Zimbabwe, an honorary doctorate in development studies from the Zimbabwe Open University, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Honoris Causa) from GD Goenka University in India, recognizing her philanthropic work.
Commitment to Philanthropy

Auxillia has been deeply committed to philanthropic endeavors throughout her career. As the First Lady, she founded the Angel of Hope Foundation, through which she has spearheaded numerous projects to support marginalized communities. These initiatives include the establishment of women's banks in every constituency in the Midlands province, providing essential supplies to institutions, and supporting self-help projects such as fishponds, nutrition gardens, and chicken rearing.

Her work also extends to health and empowerment, having been appointed ambassador for Health and patron for the Environment by Zimbabwe's Ministry of Environment, Water, and Climate. Auxillia has been a vocal advocate for HIV prevention, sexual health, and gender equality. Her outreach programs have provided free medical specialist services to communities, and she launched the National Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination campaign, benefiting over 800,000 girls aged between 10 and 14.
Academic and Gender Equality at MSU

In his address, MSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa highlighted the university's commitment to higher education, revealing that 30% of the graduands were postgraduate students. Of the 6,479 students who graduated, 1,991 were postgraduate students, with 10 receiving doctorate degrees and five Master of Philosophy degrees. The ceremony also saw the graduation of the first cohort of students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, with 18 students graduating with Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degrees.

Professor Muzvidziwa also pointed out the gender composition of the graduands, noting that 53% were female, while 47% were male, reflecting the university's ongoing efforts to promote gender equality in higher education.
A Family Affair

The graduation of Auxillia Mnangagwa with her PhD at the MSU ceremony stands as a testament to her dedication to both education and public service. As she continues her work in the community and her role as First Lady, she remains an influential figure in Zimbabwe's development, championing causes related to women, children, and health.

Her academic success adds to her reputation as a leader in Zimbabwe's philanthropic and public service sectors, while her ongoing efforts to empower marginalized groups reflect a strong commitment to positive change.