By Political Reporter- Vice President Kembo Mohadi, one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s staunch allies, has come to the defense of First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa following widespread criticism of her recently awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
The degree, conferred by Midlands State University (MSU), has sparked public outcry over its legitimacy and parallels with the questionable academic achievements of former First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Auxillia received her PhD in Tourism and Hospitality Management at MSU during a graduation ceremony presided over by her husband, President Mnangagwa, who serves as the chancellor of all state universities.
The event, where 6,479 graduates were capped, has been criticized as a blatant abuse of presidential authority to bolster the First Family’s image.
In a statement issued through his Chief of Staff, Dr. Clever Chirume, Mohadi praised the First Lady’s achievement, claiming it is a source of national inspiration.
“The nation is really inspired by your achievement. Makorokoto, Amhlope, Congratulations,” read the message. Hefurther stated that Auxillia’s success should motivate more women and girls to pursue higher education, despite questions surrounding the legitimacy of her academic credentials.
Auxillia’s academic track record has faced heavy scrutiny, with critics drawing similarities to Grace Mugabe’s meteoric rise to a PhD from the University of Zimbabwe in 2014, awarded under suspicious circumstances.
The former First Lady’s doctorate, which reportedly took just months to complete, was later denounced as an unearned accolade used to bolster her political profile.
However, Auxillia’s rise to academic prominence mirrors the controversies surrounding Grace Mugabe’s doctorate.
Grace’s PhD was conferred without evidence of a research thesis or proper academic process, leading to a public backlash and an investigation into the university’s procedures.
Similarly, Auxillia’s PhD is perceived as a politically motivated move to embellish the Mnangagwa family’s legacy.
Both First Ladies’ questionable academic credentials have fueled debates about the politicization of Zimbabwe’s higher education system and its use as a tool for propaganda.
Critics argue that such awards devalue the integrity of academic institutions and undermine genuine scholarly efforts.
Auxillia’s own academic journey has been called into question, especially given the rapid progression from Ordinary Level qualifications to a PhD.
According to President Mnangagwa, when the couple married, Auxillia held only O-Level passes.
He claimed to have personally encouraged her educational advancement, leading to her obtaining an Advanced Level certificate, a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Tourism Administration from Switzerland, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from MSU.
The First Lady’s thesis, titled “The Efficiency of Hotels in Zimbabwe: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach,” has not been made publicly available for scrutiny, adding to concerns about transparency.
President Mnangagwa has been vocal in defending his wife’s academic achievements, describing her as a “hard-working, determined, and goal-oriented woman” who deserved the honor. “I am overjoyed because when we got married, she only had her Ordinary Level passes. She never stopped learning until she attained a PhD, which I do not even have because I only ended at a Master’s level,” Mnangagwa said.
He also emphasized her dedication to her studies despite a busy schedule as First Lady, claiming she spent countless hours reading in their home library. “At home, she is always reading,” Mnangagwa added, attempting to cast her achievement as a triumph of perseverance.