Prisoner allowed to attend UZ graduation ceremony

A 30-year-old inmate serving a 24-month prison sentence has become an unlikely symbol of rehabilitation after being allowed to attend his graduation ceremony at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) last week.

Robert Zivengwa, who was convicted of unlawful entry and jailed in March this year, graduated with an honours degree in Biological Sciences, majoring in microbiology and genetics, just five months into his sentence.

He later appeared at the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) exhibition stand at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare wearing his prison uniform and graduation cap.

His appearance attracted considerable attention, with visitors taking turns to congratulate him and asking how he had managed to attend his graduation while serving a prison sentence.

Zivengwa said his conviction had forced him to reflect on his choices and the consequences of his actions.

"I failed my family members and friends by engaging in criminal activities that led me to be convicted in March this year," he said.

"I want to thank the ZPCS rehabilitation officers for correcting my mistakes and the Commissioner General Chihobvu for according me the chance to leave the prison cells to be among the graduates."

Zivengwa said his time in prison had also changed his perspective on education, knowledge and crime.

"I have come to know the power of knowledge and the dangers of abusing knowledge," he said.

"I have also realised that crime does not pay."

He said he hoped to use his qualifications to contribute positively to society after completing his sentence.

"I am looking forward to using my knowledge to empower others and the nation at large," he said.

Zivengwa said he hoped to pursue a career in clinical laboratories and research after his release.

Another inmate, 41-year-old Charlington Timba, also attracted attention at the ZPCS stand.

Timba, a qualified motor mechanic serving a 10-year sentence for robbery after being convicted in September 2022, demonstrated some of his technical skills to members of the public.

The two inmates' stories come amid growing attention on the role of education, vocational training and rehabilitation in Zimbabwe's correctional system.

Earlier this week, the story of former Chinhoyi Prison inmate Tatenda Mapanda also highlighted how education can provide a second chance.

Mapanda, 27, graduated with a degree in Supply Chain Management, specialising in Logistics, despite having faced academic and legal setbacks.

He initially failed his Ordinary Level examinations and had to repeat before eventually passing at Msengezi High School.

His educational journey was later interrupted when he was convicted of theft and sentenced to two years in prison.

Mapanda, who was nearing completion of his studies when he was incarcerated, said his imprisonment initially made it difficult for him to complete his degree.

"This affected me from 2024 and made it difficult for me to finish my studies properly," he said.

"However, through all those hardships, I gained some motivation and a strong desire to succeed."

He said the strict routines of prison life ultimately strengthened his determination to build a better future.

"The way I was living, while I was inside prison, being told when to sleep and when to wake up, those difficult times gave me the determination that I needed to do something with my life," he said.

Mapanda said his parents' sacrifices towards his education also motivated him to remain focused.

"I told myself that I needed to focus on my education and, if I worked hard and committed myself to studying, I could reach the point where I am today, having the opportunity to graduate," he said.

"Today, I am now a qualified graduate in Supply Chain Management, specialising in Logistics."

For Mapanda, graduation represented more than an academic qualification.

He described it as a symbol of resilience and proof that difficult circumstances do not necessarily have to determine a person's future.

"When you see me standing here today, on my graduation day, you may not fully see the happiness I feel," he said.

"But, in my heart, considering where I came from and where I am going, I have a happiness that cannot be measured."

His story, together with Zivengwa's graduation while serving a sentence, highlights the potential of education and rehabilitation programmes to help inmates acquire skills, change their outlook and prepare for life beyond prison.