THE RISE OF FAKE EDUCATION IN ZIMBABWE’S POLITICS

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was recently in Chiweshe to celebrate his wife, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, after she got a PhD in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Midlands State University. At the graduation in Gweru, the President even capped her himself as she received the degree. Many people saw this moment, but for some of us, it raised more questions than answers. It showed a bigger problem we have in Zimbabwe, a problem that is now very clear in our politics.

More and more government officials are getting PhDs. But people are starting to ask why. Are they studying to learn, or are they studying to gain power? Many Zimbabweans believe these degrees are not about education. They think the degrees are about making leaders look powerful. This is not the first time we have seen this.

We remember what happened with former First Lady Grace Mugabe. She got a PhD from the University of Zimbabwe in 2014. But people said it was fake. They asked how she finished so fast. They asked why nobody ever saw her doing the real work needed for such a big degree. Her PhD became a joke for many people. It made her look dishonest. Later, when Mugabe was removed in 2017, people pointed to this fake PhD as part of her controversial story.

Even today, the problem continues. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga also has a PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. But many people question if he really earned it. They say maybe it was done to make him look more powerful in politics. They wonder if the degree was about real study or just about boosting his position. These questions show how little trust people now have in the education claims of top officials.

In Zimbabwe, many leaders think having a PhD makes them look strong and important. They think the title “Doctor” gives them respect. But this is wrong. Education should not be used like a tool to gain more political advantage. There is a word for this behaviour. It is called academic credentialism. It means chasing degrees only to impress others, not to learn. It means using education only to climb the political ladder.

This is a dangerous mindset. When leaders chase titles instead of knowledge, they destroy the value of education. They make young people think that school is only for looks, not for learning. They weaken the meaning of honest study. They create a culture where shortcuts are celebrated more than real effort. This is not how a country grows.

Education is important. A leader who studies to learn can help the country. They can make better decisions. They can understand problems better. They can use their knowledge to serve the people. But when leaders only want the title, they do not grow. They do not improve. They only pretend to be wise while the country continues to suffer.

Fake or questionable degrees also destroy trust. How can people trust leaders who fake education? How can people believe that these leaders care about the nation when they do not respect learning? Fake education makes leaders look dishonest. It damages the reputation of universities. It makes the whole system look corrupt.

Now that Zimbabwe is celebrating the First Lady’s new PhD, we must stop and think. Why do so many top officials want these degrees? Are they learning for the country or just for their own power? What message does this send to the rest of the nation?

Education should be for growth. It should be for service. It should be for helping the people. Leaders must show good examples. They must study because they want to learn, not because they want to look important. Only when leaders value real education can the country move forward. Only then can Zimbabwe build a society where knowledge, honesty, and integrity matter more than fake titles.