Opinion / Columnist
Christopher Mutsvangwa Trolling Again - But Is He Punching Above His Academic Weight?
2 hrs ago | 23 Views
Does Ambassador Mutsvangwa know that General Chiwenga holds a doctorate degree? His social media interviews troll Chiwenga as uneducated. But Chris missed the memo: Chiwenga graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He holds the academic title Dr. Constantine Ghuveya Chiwenga - contrary to the claim that he's illiterate.
In contrast, Ambassador Mutsvangwa, who lacks a doctorate, prides himself on his University of Rhodesia credentials. He graduated with a Master of Arts in "whatever" - and yes, he speaks flawless English. But in today's global economy, that's not enough. A doctorate is the ultimate badge of recognition. To be addressed as "Dr." carries more weight than "Ambassador," which is a title granted by political appointment, not academic achievement.
To troll so relentlessly, Chris resorts to linguistic jabs: "If you want to know if a Shona is literate, listen to how he pronounces ‘l' and ‘r'." He claims the letter R comes from the mother, and L from the teacher - concluding that Chiwenga is illiterate. This is trolling at its most petty.
Dr. Chiwenga, in his wisdom, sees this as a sign of inadequate education. Chris lacks doctoral qualifications and is academically junior to him. Secondary education - O-Levels and A-Levels - don't mean much if you can leapfrog to a doctorate. Gifted and talented people do it.
Zimbabwe boasts many doctorate holders from global universities: Dr. Walter Mzembi, Dr. Thokozani Khupe, Dr. Joyce Mujuru, Dr. Obert Mpofu, Dr. Grace Mugabe, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa. Dr. Walter Magaya was expected to graduate recently, but for some reason, his doctorate was declined.
There are dozens more who could dwarf the "Ambassador" title Mutsvangwa holds - a title earned through government benevolence. He was sent to China to serve as ambassador, a role granted by political duty, not academic merit.
The succession fight has reached its peak. Who will succeed President Mnangagwa in 2028 is the million-dollar question. If, for argument's sake, Dr. Chiwenga is disqualified from the race, he could easily take up a lectureship at the University of Zimbabwe.
For Mutsvangwa, it's different. That's why many pursue further education - a bankable qualification for when politics fails.
Demarcation lines must be drawn. Some citizens earn honorary doctorates, like Dr. Tsitsi Dangarembga, awarded by Rhodes University for her globally recognized literary work. Others burn candles for genuine doctorates. Some use their bank accounts to acquire them.
I remember Advocate Tendai Biti once said he'd never pursue a doctorate because the title has been abused and lost its meaning. Still, "success has many fathers; defeat is an orphan."
To ridicule Chiwenga as illiterate is kutaura kwausina kuswera. That said, Mutsvangwa is eloquent, articulate, highly intelligent, and ambitious. His trolling stems from deep political frustration - decades of vicissitudes. ZANU PF has never allowed him to rise to his full potential. In the power matrix, it's clear he wants to succeed Mnangagwa. But how?
The current power struggle exposes tribal divisions within ZANU - not the old Ndebele-Shona animosities, but fractures among Shona subgroups. When Mnangagwa took power in 2017, voices whispered, "Mukaranga panyanga!" That was telling.
These tribal power struggles aren't new. They date back to the liberation days in Zambia and Tanzania, resulting in the deaths of many - including Advocate Herbert Chitepo and Dr. Edgar Madekurozva.
The message I take home is one of self-deceit. How do we wear masks to become what we are not? What are we teaching our children and grandchildren? To deceive oneself and the nation is a form of mental corruption.
In Zimbabwe, external recognition is everything. You're either a pastor, prophet, doctor, or sangoma - the list is long. These social titles invite deception. Without them, feelings of inadequacy overwhelm.
In contrast, Ambassador Mutsvangwa, who lacks a doctorate, prides himself on his University of Rhodesia credentials. He graduated with a Master of Arts in "whatever" - and yes, he speaks flawless English. But in today's global economy, that's not enough. A doctorate is the ultimate badge of recognition. To be addressed as "Dr." carries more weight than "Ambassador," which is a title granted by political appointment, not academic achievement.
To troll so relentlessly, Chris resorts to linguistic jabs: "If you want to know if a Shona is literate, listen to how he pronounces ‘l' and ‘r'." He claims the letter R comes from the mother, and L from the teacher - concluding that Chiwenga is illiterate. This is trolling at its most petty.
Dr. Chiwenga, in his wisdom, sees this as a sign of inadequate education. Chris lacks doctoral qualifications and is academically junior to him. Secondary education - O-Levels and A-Levels - don't mean much if you can leapfrog to a doctorate. Gifted and talented people do it.
Zimbabwe boasts many doctorate holders from global universities: Dr. Walter Mzembi, Dr. Thokozani Khupe, Dr. Joyce Mujuru, Dr. Obert Mpofu, Dr. Grace Mugabe, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa. Dr. Walter Magaya was expected to graduate recently, but for some reason, his doctorate was declined.
There are dozens more who could dwarf the "Ambassador" title Mutsvangwa holds - a title earned through government benevolence. He was sent to China to serve as ambassador, a role granted by political duty, not academic merit.
The succession fight has reached its peak. Who will succeed President Mnangagwa in 2028 is the million-dollar question. If, for argument's sake, Dr. Chiwenga is disqualified from the race, he could easily take up a lectureship at the University of Zimbabwe.
Demarcation lines must be drawn. Some citizens earn honorary doctorates, like Dr. Tsitsi Dangarembga, awarded by Rhodes University for her globally recognized literary work. Others burn candles for genuine doctorates. Some use their bank accounts to acquire them.
I remember Advocate Tendai Biti once said he'd never pursue a doctorate because the title has been abused and lost its meaning. Still, "success has many fathers; defeat is an orphan."
To ridicule Chiwenga as illiterate is kutaura kwausina kuswera. That said, Mutsvangwa is eloquent, articulate, highly intelligent, and ambitious. His trolling stems from deep political frustration - decades of vicissitudes. ZANU PF has never allowed him to rise to his full potential. In the power matrix, it's clear he wants to succeed Mnangagwa. But how?
The current power struggle exposes tribal divisions within ZANU - not the old Ndebele-Shona animosities, but fractures among Shona subgroups. When Mnangagwa took power in 2017, voices whispered, "Mukaranga panyanga!" That was telling.
These tribal power struggles aren't new. They date back to the liberation days in Zambia and Tanzania, resulting in the deaths of many - including Advocate Herbert Chitepo and Dr. Edgar Madekurozva.
The message I take home is one of self-deceit. How do we wear masks to become what we are not? What are we teaching our children and grandchildren? To deceive oneself and the nation is a form of mental corruption.
In Zimbabwe, external recognition is everything. You're either a pastor, prophet, doctor, or sangoma - the list is long. These social titles invite deception. Without them, feelings of inadequacy overwhelm.
Source - Nomazulu Thata
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