President Emmerson Mnangagwa has donated farming implements and a bus to the Seventh-day Adventist-run Solusi University in Figtree.
The equipment includes tractors with ploughs, planters, harrows, and a 40-seater bus.
The donation was handed over to Solusi University at the institution’s 26th graduation ceremony by the guest of honour and businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
Tagwirei is the founder and chief executive of Sakunda Holdings and an elder in the SDA church.
He said to complement the President’s donation, he donated a 60-seater bus, 10-tonne and four-tonne trucks, and three tractors to the university. Said Tagwirei:
The President says he wants to help Solusi because it has 3 000 hectares of land, hence the donation of the tractor and other implements.
The President said he is concerned about the children, and the University students and has donated a 40-seater bus.
The President does not speak to the gallery like others, the bus is here, the tractor is here.
… We want the university to be self-sufficient, and as such we shall assist the university with setting up solar energy and fixing the sewer and water reticulation systems and all this will take 18 months to be completed.
We want Solusi to be self-sustainable and the trust will raise funds to go into commercial activities.
And we are going to help you to make use of your land through the institutions that you know.
Tagwirei said salaries for workers at Solusi will be increased by 50 per cent and the university will now offer allowances to lecturers.
He also said the university will reduce prices for food at the canteen from US$2 to 50 cents.
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Tino Machakaire gave the university a 75-horse power tractor with all the implements that go with it.
Managing director at Fossil Contracting Obey Chimuka donated a car for the Vice Chancellor’s wife and another for one of the University’s Deans.
Trek Petroleum Managing director Innocent Mugwisi donated a car and fuel amounting to 5 000 litres per month for the next 18 months to the newly set up Solusi University Development Trust.
371 students graduated with degrees or diplomas. Solusi University Chancellor Micah Choga presided over the proceedings. | The Herald