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Dr Samuel Muchena

Sifelani Tsiko Senior Writer
Scientists laid tributes to Dr Samuel Muchena, an eminent plant genetic researcher and the brains behind the dwarf maize hybrid variety, at a memorial service which was held recently in the capital. High ranking Government officials, the scientific academic community, relatives and friends crowded into the Chisipite United Methodist Church for a memorial service for the renowned plant breeder who
dedicated his life to the service and development of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.

Dr Muchena died on January 4 this year at the age of 69. His death came as a result of injuries he sustained after a car accident in
Harare.

“Thirty years of his life dedicated to research was something special and incredible,” said Shingi, son of the late Dr Muchena. “A life of
persistence and dedication to research was at the heart of our father who was a pillar of strength to us.”

Said daughter Olivia Ndundu-Muchena: “We want to thank God for his intelligence that has led to the discovery of the dwarf maize variety
that offers so much promise in the fight against hunger and famine in Zimbabwe and Africa.”

Dr Muchena’s sister, Mrs Mercy Kapungu described her brother as a ‘simple and humble guy who had no airs,’ and who was the thread that
bound the Muchena family together. Research Council of Zimbabwe board member and biochemist, Dr Dahlia Garwe, said the passing away of Dr Muchena had robbed the country and Africa as a whole of a dedicated and selfless researcher.

“He was not only am accomplished researcher but was a man of vision and integrity, whose contribution, particularly to Zimbabwe’s
agricultural sector will always be remembered,” she said.

“We have lost a mentor and a pillar of strength. What was striking about the man that we are gathered her to honour, was his humility and unquestionable commitment to national service.”

She said Dr Muchena would be best remembered for his love for biotechnology, hardwork and for shaping discourse on biotechnology in
Zimbabwe.

“Dr Muchena was always available to provide guidance in research and development to the Government, the world of academia and to fellow researchers,” Dr Garwe said.

Owing to his vast knowledge and expertise, Dr Muchena played a critical role in the formation of the Research Council of Zimbabwe,
the Scientific, Industrial Research and Development Centre (Sirdic), the Biosafety Board and the National Biotechnology Authority.

He laid the foundations of the country’s scientific institutions and helped formulate a number of programmes to develop the country’s
scientific and technological sector.

The late plant breeder also helped to form the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences where he was a fellow and one of the most active members.
“Whilst serving at the RCZ he was also actively involved in the process that led to the launch of the fist Science and Technology
Policy resulting in the establishment of the Ministry of Science and Technology Development,” Dr Garwe said.

“This was a very important development as it contributed to a change in the perceptions on science and technology in the country.”

Dr Muchena’s work colleagues at the African Centre for Fertiliser Development, where he was the founding director, said they were
devastated by his death and they would do their best to keep his legacy alive.

Veterinary surgeon, Dr Unesu Ushewokunze-Obatulo, described Dr Muchena as one of Zimbabwe’s eminent scientists who worked tirelessly towards promoting biotechnology in the country at a time when there was so much skepticism and mistrust on new and emerging technologies.

“He was a workmate and mentor. We will remember him most for championing the use of modern biotechnology,” she said. “He was a
patient, loving and understanding man.”

She said Dr Muchena had a huge influence on her and on her work.

“He was a very accommodating person who accommodated different opinions. We have lost a very transparent practitioner in science who
applied his knowledge fully in solving scientific problems,” she said.

“We have lost an innovator of international stature and we should not let his legacy to die but take it up further and help resolve challenges facing the country’s agricultural sector.

“We should keep his thoughts alive and his knowledge alive to guide future genrations.”

Learning of his death, Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences president, Prof Chris Mutambirwa said: “The untimely death of Dr Muchena shocked us all. It’s a huge loss of one of our most valued scientist. He was a hardworking scientist and a staunch supporter of the academy.”

He called Dr Muchena: “An accomplished scientists who made Zimbabwe proud. He will be remembered most for his irresistible smile and for his tireless and ebullient communication on biotechnology issues.”

Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Permanent Secretary Mr Ringson Chitsiko said death had robbed the
country of a world class scientist.

“The agricultural sector has lost one the greatest scientific minds,” he said. “The impact of his findings were profound in terms of food
security of millions of Zimbabweans. Are we not very proud in remembering one of our own, one that can be ranked among the world’s
scientific icons.

“From my contact with him, I would rank Dr Muchena as one of the greatest minds who has a place in the scientific pantheon.”
Commented United Methodist Church Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa: “Dr Muchena was a person of a rare class, a man who can be described in Japanese as a Kaizen – meaning someone who was imbued with continuous improvement philosophy which brought about scientific miracles to improve the nation and the whole continent.”

Ex-wife, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister, Dr Olivia Muchena bantering with the gathering
chronicled his relationship with the late Dr Muchena from the days they met at Makerere in Uganda, their marriage in Toronto in 1974,
their life in exile, their separation in 1984 as well as their interaction after divorce.

“My life with Sam, if it was a film, I can assure you, it would be a blockbuster,” she said.  “Sam was an amazing guy. He was full of
discoveries, knowledge and shocks.”

She said when they were about to wed in 1974, her husband Dr Muchena broke the news that he had fathered a child with another woman.

“This came a huge surprise, I didn’t expect it,” she said. “Later on, I got another surprise that Sam had another Ugandan-born daughter. It
was a shocker as he told me that he had named her Olivia.

“The third surprise in my life with Sam occurred in October 1984 when Sam left home and never returned,”

All this, she recalled, brought loneliness, bitterness, anger, confusion, a broken heart and depression.

“I am glad however that the Lord turned the days into a long spiritual workshop. I learnt lessons of forgiveness from my Lord Jesus Christ,”
she said.

“He taught me not to destroy myself through self-pity. I learnt that there can be friendship after divorce. I also learnt that we should
not use children to solve conflicts between spouses.”

She said she forgave her late ex-husband and developed friendship after divorce.

“I affectionately called him ‘Samanyika’ or ‘Baba vaShingi.’ We shared blessings of seeing our grandchildren. He was one of my biggest
supporter on my political victory celebrations,” she said. “That’s how close we were with Sam. God is amazing, he gave other women daughters and I only had boys. Now, they are all mine.

“I want to thank God for the opportunity to live with Sam,” Minister Muchena said further.

“His enthusiasm for his science was contagious and his passion for teaching and mentoring his students was amazing.  Families and friends
would get lectures about the dwarf maize variety. His biggest passion was his AC31 and AC71 and even his children were nicknamed with these varieties.”

Dr Muchena is renowned for developing and releasing the AC31 and AC71 drought resistant dwarf varieities which won him the Research Council of Zimbabwe award for outstanding contribution to science and technology in 2004.

Some of the Cabinet Ministers who attended the memorial included, Cdes Patrick Chinamasa, Lazarus Dokora, Sithembiso Nyoni, Flora Bhuka as well as deputy ministers, Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede, diplomats and United Methodist Church Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa.

Dr Muchena will probably be remembered for his extraordinarily focused intelligence and for leaving the world a richer place than he found it.