Zimpapers Logo

Felex Share and Talent Gore
CONDOLENCE messages for the late national hero Dr Charles Utete continued to pour in yesterday with the Civil Service Commission describing him as a dedicated cadre who dismantled the colonial civil service system.

Dr Utete collapsed at his Highlands home last Friday.

He was 77.

In a statement yesterday, the CSC said Dr Utete was instrumental in addressing the imbalances brought about by colonialism.

“The philosophy and the foundations of the Civil Service we talk about today were born from the need to ensure Zimbabweans took over as quickly as possible in order to be able to steer the development of this country in a manner that would rapidly redress the imbalances of the past,” said the CSC.

“Dr Utete found himself in a very invidious position where he had to work alongside remnants from the Smith Regime in the then Prime Minister’s Office to carry out the transformation.

“This called for urgent reform of the civil service structure that was heavily skewed in favour of the white minority and disenfranchised the black majority.

Armed with full Cabinet backing, on the Policy of Supernumerary that saw black Zimbabweans being appointed to understudy white counterparts in key Government positions, Dr Utete himself served as one of the first such understudies.

“He shrewdly got the remaining white civil servants to partake in the unbundling of the colonial system alongside the few black intellectuals he had on board, amongst them the first Public Service Commissioners.”

The CSC said Dr Utete had his own checks and balances in place to ensure things were done accordingly and even some remnants from the Smith Regime did not deter him from carrying out his mandate.

“Within five years, there was only but a handful of the white minority in Government,” said the CSC.

“The Supernumerary Policy was a double edged-sword in that it provided training for blacks and also had the effect of guaranteeing continuity at a time when white civil servants from the Smith Regime were shunning the idea of serving under a black boss.

“ Instead, most chose to move into the private sector, opening up the structures of the service to accommodate African graduates and school leavers, who until Independence, had been hitherto relegated to second class citizens and had been employed and rewarded on unfair conditions of service.”

The CSC said Dr Utete epitomised the values of “meritocracy, humility and dedication”

“In short, the very principles and ethics expected of a civil servant that the Public Service Commission is struggling to inculcate in the new generation of civil servants today,” it said.

“Through this message all those of us rendering public services should take a leaf out of Dr Utete’s life of service as a clear demonstration of the service that citizens of this nation deserve.

The honour of national hero status bestowed upon this first post-Independence number one civil servant, is in itself, a celebration of what Dr Utete bequeathed to future generations, a celebration of public service and a recognition of the civil service as a whole in service delivery.

“Today, we derive solace in knowing that although he has gone, Dr Utete will be well remembered through time immemorial because of the legacy he has left behind.

The foundation that he set for the reform of the civil service and its transformation will live on.”

The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare weighed in: “In Dr Utete, the nation has been robbed of a team player par excellence, a civil servant of distinct repute and an intellect.

“As the Ministry responsible for the civil service we will strive to uphold the values that were instilled by the late Dr Utete as we diligently execute our mandate.”

The Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment described Dr Utete as a “distinguished intellectual and public administrator who demonstrated wisdom and mastery in the shaping of the civil service of Zimbabwe, the erudite and humble gentleman, Dr Charles Utete.”

“Dr Utete was a visionary leader who contributed greatly towards the development of a sound administrative structure of Government departments,” said the Ministry in a statement.

“His role in creating and promoting a vibrant civil service that exudes integrity and commitment to public duty remains unparalleled.

‘An analyst of inestimable depth and measure who was always hungry to learn new things, he leaves all of us in the public service wondering as to whether we can also reach the depths that he reached in his distinguished service under the Flag.

“We wish Dr Utete to be blessed in death even as he blessed so many others in his well lived life.”

Dr Utete will be buried today at the National Heroes Acre.

He is survived by wife Verna and five children.