wfn.org | Africa University Graduation

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3341 notes).

Note 3340 by UMNS on Dec. 16, 1996 at 16:35 Eastern (9432 characters).

SEARCH: Africa University, students, graduation, class, pioneer
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                          628(10-31-71B){3340}
         Nashville, Tenn. (65) 742-5470              Dec. 16, 1996

Last four of the Africa University's
opening 1992 class graduate Dec. 14

                          A UMNS Feature
                         by Andra Stevens*

     A second group of 21 students graduated from United
Methodist-related Africa University in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, Dec.
14, including the last seven members of the first entering class
who came to the new campus in 1992.
     The first female student from a country other than Zimbabwe
was also among the graduating class that included four women and
17 men.  Sixteen were awarded bachelor of science degrees in
agriculture and natural resources and five received bachelor of
divinity degrees. Twelve graduates are from Zimbabwe, four each
from Mozambique and Angola, and one from Tanzania.
     The first students entered the campus on a single dirt road.
The facilities consisted of a handful of renovated farm structures
surrounded by scrub brush and hills. The new arrivals planted the
shrubs and flowers that grace the campus now. They lived in
apartments 28 miles away in Mutare and took their meals in nearby
restaurants. There were only a few lecturers, academic programs
still were taking shape and classes often were held in the open.
     Ana Maria de Carvalho vividly remembers her first day at
Africa University: "When we drove up the road to the site for the
first worship service, I almost fainted," she said. "I was
expecting something else and it was a shock to see the few small
buildings, there was so little but I stayed ... I left Angola
because the situation there was terrible and I knew I would get
something here that I would not get at home." 
     De Carvalho, a student in the Faculty (College) of
Agriculture and Natural Resources, received a bachelor of science
degree and became the first non-Zimbabwean woman to graduate from
the school. She is one of the seven pioneer class members who came
from Angola and Mozambique with little or no English skills to
study agriculture and theology.
     Paixao Baptista, who received his bachelor of divinity
degree, also recalled those early days.  "Yes, it was difficult in
the beginning because we were a kind of prototype and everything
had to be developed from scratch -- the courses, rules,
regulations, relationships -- but it was also special because we
were a small group and we lived as friends and family, both staff
and students, helping each other."
     For Baptista and other "pioneers", learning English was a
major hurdle. They spent one year in intensive English language
training before beginning their degree programs. Then the
University switched from a three to a four-year degree program in
all disciplines and they found their stay extended by one year.
     The new graduates shared how their stay at Africa University
had broadened their minds and marked them in various ways. Most
pointed to the university's international and multi-cultural
community and its impact on their learning and personalities.
     In the early days, coming together in community was not easy.
The local students had to receive and accommodate. The
international students had to be oriented and settled in. Each had
expectations of the others and both groups had to adjust. The
university grew up around these students who lived its five-year
history.
     "Living in close quarters with people who are very different
forces you to become more mature and accepting," said Zimbabwean
student Kudzai Chitiyo.
     Abilio Alfeu, a Mozambican, said, "I got a chance to see how
Nigerians behave without going to Nigeria and a picture of Africa
without travel that I won't forget ... I learned that there is
good and bad in varying degrees in people and the one thing you
have to do is to be open and compromise sometimes. There was much
learning and growing that did not take place in the classroom. It
happened in the dining hall and dormitories and it taught me that
there is no standard sort of person," said Alfeu.
     Reflecting on his time as a student, Ezequiel Nhantumbo, a
Mozambican, said his trip to the United States as a member of the
university choir was "an unforgettable experience."
     Israel Kamuzandu, a theology student from Zimbabwe said his
"sense of myself as an African is strong" after his four years at
the university. Kamuzandu shared a room with the Rev. Almeida
Lemba, a United Methodist pastor from Angola, who also graduated
this month. 
     Kamuzandu went to class and interacted on campus daily with
students from East, West Central and Southern Africa. "We have the
beginnings of a 'United Nations of Africa' here with cross-
cultural experiences every day," he observed.  "I've learned to
pray and care for people outside Zimbabwe and to love other
Africans."
     Others like de Carvalho and Antonetta Takawira speak of how
their faith was strengthened, of solid friendships built and safe
haven found in the quiet valley. 
     De Carvalho said she grew up in a Christian family. Her
grandfather was a United Methodist pastor and before the war and
her family's displacement from Malange in northern Angola, they
had daily prayer meetings close to home and never missed Sunday
worship. The war forced them to move to the capital city of Luanda
and over time, she said, the family forgot about prayer and
worship and only went to church when someone died or they were in
trouble. "I've rediscovered the value of Christian faith and
prayer at Africa University and I won't forget that," she said.
     "What I remember about this place is the surroundings, the
shape and color of the mountains against the sky at daybreak and
sunset," said Takawira. "Walking around and looking at these
mountains gives me a sense of peace." 
     As they make the transition from student to farmer, teacher,
pastor, researcher or businessperson, the graduates said they feel
well prepared.
     Antony Chapota of Zimbabwe was anxious to graduate.  "I want
to be in the farming business ... I'd like to pool resources and
skills with some of my classmates and put together a project that
will create jobs," he said.
     "I have skills and I mean to use them," De Carvalho said. "I
want to be in a place where I can help people, especially women,
make decisions and engage in activities that will improve their
lives ... I dream of being able to affect policy in my country,
and I continue to dream because Africa University is a living
testimony that dreams do come true," she added.
     Kamuzandu expects to be appointed to serve as pastor of a
church in the Zimbabwe Annual Conference.  He also plans to marry
in April.
     Baptista was associate pastor of Bethel United Methodist
Church in Luanda, the second largest church in the East Angola
Annual Conference, Before coming to Africa University. He spent
five years in Zimbabwe but remains keenly aware of the challenges
facing the church in his country. 
     "The war is over and there is peace but there is also the
need to restore the spirit of the people, to restore their peace
of mind," said Baptista who will go back as a pastor wherever his
annual conference appoints him.
     The Mozambicans -- Meneses Roberto, Nhantumbo, Alfeu and
Moises Gujambo -- all plan to return home to contribute to post-
war reconstruction efforts in their country. Three of the four
have studied agriculture. Roberto, a teacher before coming to the
university, wants to do research to develop a new technology for
the agricultural sector.
     Alfeu already has been working in Gorongoza, headquarters of
the Renamo rebel movement and one of the worst hit areas during
the war.  His efforts are aimed at improving small scale grain
production. He believes that his research -- done in cooperation
with project officers at the German Agency for Technical
Cooperation (GTZ) -- may help improve grain marketing and put more
income in the hands of farmers. His classmate Ezequiel Nhantumbo,
is interested in the effects of environmental changes and
degradation on communities and wants to do a master's degree in
environmental science.
     Even as they plan for their own lives, these prospective
graduates are making plans for Africa University as well. Most say
they want an active role in shaping the future of the institution.
Support for fund raising and student recruitment are top
priorities. Some would like to see the university provide graduate
studies to its alumni so that they could one day return as
faculty. Others want to work on increasing the range of research
and extension services and are moving back to their communities
with a confidence born out of their success at Africa University.
     "What I will remember always," said Baptista, "is the very
first stages ... Africa University started in the bush, we started
with it and have all grown and developed as the University has
developed ... There is hope, we can start from here and things can
grow and develop elsewhere if we are committed to the work."
                              #  #  #

     * Stevens is the director of information at Africa
University.  

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