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Prof Mutambara

Manicaland Bureau
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Guseni Mutambara has said he will honour his late father and renowned author in a book set to chronicle his life and achievements during the colonial era titled: “The A.G.O Mutambara’s Story from 1640AD to Present”.

Prof Mutambara said he was planning to hold exhibitions for Philemon Joseph Mutambara’s published work and other materials he did during the time of his life.

The late Philemon Joseph Mutambara was the author of the ZIMSEC Advanced Level examination set book, “Nziramasango”, which was published in 2011.

He died in 1968 at the age of 35.

Speaking during the unveiling of his late father’s tombstone at his homestead in Mutambara recently, the former Deputy Prime Minister said: “He was a distinguished scholar, polished author and dedicated man whose legacy will be cherished for many years to come.”

Prof Mutambara added: “He was the first graduate in the Mutambara area. He attained a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and English in 1958 from Fort Hare University in South Africa and a teaching distinction in UED now called GCE in 1959 from the same university.

“He was among the pioneer teachers at Sakubva Secondary School and he was the first black teacher in Mutare in 1958. In 1948, he went to Goromonzi, which was the first Government school and excelled again.

“He got a First Class Cambridge Certificate at Goromonzi in 1951 and earned distinctions in all subjects before he went to Fort Hare University.”

Of interest, Prof Mutambara said, was that the late Philemon sired four children who all earned PhDs in various disciplines, ranging from Biology, Economics, Pharmacy and Engineering.

“He died a young man at about 35 years,” he said. “He was born on October 30, 1932 and died on August 24, 1968. An important message that I would like to give to people is that life is not guaranteed.

“This man died at a very young age. People should, therefore, try as much as possible to leave a legacy. My father died a young man, but he left a legacy.”

Prof Mutambara said he was also working on other books, which he said would be ready for publication soon.

“The late Mutambara was an author and he wrote his book in 1958 and failed to publish it after the white colonialists complained that it was denigrating Christianity,” he said.

“It was then shelved until I took it in 2011 and decided to publish it. The book is now being used as a set book for A- Levels. His story will be published in the Fourth Edition of the books that I am working on.

“As of now, I am working on the editions of the books which are in volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Volume 1 has already been published, Vol 2 and 3 are coming. The books will be titled: “In Search of the Elusive Zimbabwean Dream: An Autobiography of Thought Leadership”.

“My late father’s history will be in the fourth edition to be called “The A.G.O Mutambara’s Story from 1640AD to Present,” he said.

Professor Lovemore Madhuku also attended the unveiling ceremony where he spoke highly of his friendship with the former Deputy Prime Minister since their time in school.