HARARE -- The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) has criticised a presidential scholarship programme for children of mostly members or allies of President Robert Mugabes Zanu (PF) to go for study at South African universities while local institutions are crumbling due to lack of funding. The Presidential Scholarship Fund programme, the brainchild of the President Robert Mugabe, began in 1995 with just a few students enrolled at South Africas Fort Hare University where Mugabe was once a studied. The fund has since expanded to include at least 10 South African universities.
Although initially started as a scheme to help talented youngster without means to gain a university education the fund that has occasionally drawn resources from the fiscus has gradually evolved to become virtually a preserve for children of Zanu (PF) members or their allies and relatives.
“It’s a pity that people in government emphasize more to fund close relatives to get good education in South Africa. We are very much against giving out scholarships when the country is broke,” said Courage Ngwarai, ZINSAUs legal affairs secretary.
“The priority is to deal with the University of Zimbabwe, Midlands State University, Harare Polytechnic and the National University and Science and Technology that are facing problems.”
Zanu (PF) stalwart Christopher Mushowe, who oversees the scholarship programme, was not immediately available for comment on the matter. But Mushowe has in the past rejected charges that the fund excluded children whose parents were not linked to Zanu (PF).
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