Former Education Minister Aeneas Chigwedere dies
Former Education Minister, Mashonaland East Governor and renowned historian Aeneas Chigwedere has died. His son Casper Chigwedere confirms the news.
Chigwedere is said to have died from Covid-19 related complications. Aeneas Soko Chigwedere was a Zimbabwean politician, historian, educationist, and traditional leader. He served as the Minister of Education, Sports, & Culture since August 2001, and was appointed as the Resident Minister and Governor of Mashonaland East Province in August 2008. He was installed as Headman Svosve Mubayiwa the 10th in March 2008.
He was born on born 25 November 1939. He was schooled at Chigwedere School, Chemhanza Mission, and Waddilove Institute before going to Goromonzi High School.
Former Education Minister Aeneas Chigwedere dies
Aeneas Chigwedere enrolled at the University of London, College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, in 1962 as one of the 25 African students accepted then from Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. As the first black student to be admitted to study for the History Honors program, from which he graduated in 1964, he strongly felt that he had a duty to work in producing an authentic history of Zimbabwe.
He first joined ZANU in 1964 while at university. In 1985, he became Education Secretary for ZANU’s Chaminuka District in Goromonzi. In 1993, he rose through the ZANU Marondera (and Wedza) structures from ward level to Secretary of Education for Mashonaland East Province.
Aeneas Chigwedere has attracted controversy and criticism as minister for once suggesting that all students should wear one uniform, for attempting to rename schools that still bear colonial names, and for pushing an act that empowers him to regulate the fees charged by the government and private schools.
Covid-19 is claiming the lives of prominent people and heroes in Zimbabwe. Each day a beloved hero of the nation falls.