Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School set to open in August

The Midlands State University (MSU)'s Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School in Kwekwe is on track to open its doors in August this year, with construction nearing completion. With over 300 workers on site and materials fully available, MSU is confident of meeting the timeline for this landmark project.

Engineers from Masvingo Polytechnic College are already working on roofing sections of the structure that have reached the required stage, signaling significant progress. The law school, located on a 220-hectare farm donated by the Kwekwe City Council, will not only host the Faculty of Law but also accommodate the Faculties of Agriculture and Architecture, among others, with plans to enroll more than 1,000 students upon completion.

The ambitious project is hailed as a brainchild of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's visionary leadership and is expected to become a beacon of academic excellence in Zimbabwe and Africa. Pro Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Campus Development, Dr. Gift Manyatera, expressed gratitude to the Kwekwe City Council for providing the land and highlighted the transformative impact of the new campus.

"The campus will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including lecture rooms, moot courts, a library, hostels, staff quarters, a kitchen, a hospital, and more," said Dr. Manyatera. "This was once a forest, but now it is a thriving construction site with structures emerging. We are currently at 65 percent completion of the main building, and expansion one is already being roofed with the assistance of Masvingo Polytechnic engineers."

Dr. Manyatera emphasized the Law School's role in honoring President Mnangagwa's contributions to Zimbabwe's legal development, noting MSU's Faculty of Law is already ranked as one of Africa's best. The modern infrastructure will enable the university to offer postgraduate and short courses, further cementing its reputation for academic innovation.

Construction of the campus began in 2023, and Treasury has been releasing funds to sustain the project. "We plan to move staff and students to this campus by August, including those in the Master's program," added Dr. Manyatera.

Kwekwe City Council Mayor, Councillor Albert Zinhanga, lauded the development as a boost to the city's economy. He highlighted the potential for increased revenue through rates, water, and sewer charges, as well as opportunities for local businesses.

"This campus will significantly contribute to Kwekwe's GDP. We are excited about the prospects this development will bring to the city," said Clr Zinhanga.

MSU's multi-campus philosophy aligns with Zimbabwe's Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model, with existing campuses in Gweru, Zvishavane, Harare, and Bulawayo. The addition of the Kwekwe campus is seen as a major milestone in the university's growth and its mission to deliver world-class education.

The Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School is poised to become a center of legal excellence, fostering talent and innovation in Zimbabwe's academic and professional landscape.