Dexter Nduna’s Mea Culpa: Taking Responsibility for Premature Celebration of Graduation

By Dr Masimba Mavaza and Ilyana Sithole

HARARE – Former Zanu PF MP for Chegutu West, Dexter Nduna, has publicly apologized for his appearance at the University of Zimbabwe’s (UZ) recent graduation ceremony, saying that excitement clouded his judgment.

In a heartfelt letter directed to His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Nduna publicly expressed his apologies for a recent misjudgment that drew significant criticism from netizens over the past two weeks. The issue arose when Nduna prematurely celebrated what he believed to be his graduation from the University’s Law program, class of 2024.

Nduna, who gate-crashed the event on 13 September 2024 while wearing a graduation gown, had earlier been exposed for failing to meet the necessary requirements for a Bachelor of Laws degree. In a post on his social media platform X, the Zanu PF Central Committee member expressed remorse for prematurely celebrating his purported graduation.

“I was happy like everyone that I had indeed graduated until after graduation day,” Nduna wrote. “I was informed through social media that my case was still pending and I was not on the final list of graduates for the law class of 2024”

Nduna acknowledged that two outstanding modules prevented him from officially completing his law degree and said he had made arrangements to rectify the issue.

“I therefore take this opportunity to apologize to you, Your Excellency, for celebrating before graduating, thereby putting the credibility and revered name of your institution into disrepute. I have made arrangements to register and write exams for the outstanding two modules so that I can complete my law studies at the University of Zimbabwe,” Nduna wrote.

A former military officer and legislator who served a decade in each capacity, Nduna said he should have been more judicious amidst the excitement in marking his graduation. He said: “I should not have allowed the administration glitches at the institution and my own excitement to cloud my judgment.”

Nduna went ahead to enumerate steps he intends to take in order to rectify his academic standing by registering for and completing the outstanding examinations that he needs to satisfy the requirements of his LLB, or Bachelor of Laws.

UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo had earlier confirmed that Nduna was not on the list of graduates, despite his appearance at the ceremony.

Public reaction to Nduna’s original triumph reflects a generally held view that public figures have little room for error in their actions and utterances, digital age or no. A number of social media users berated him for perceived arrogance and insensitivity given the challenges facing many Zimbabweans in accessing higher education.

While the apology by Nduna is meant to return himself to some good standing and to show he takes responsibility for his actions, whether the people will accept contrition remains in the hands of time. This is definitely a reminder that transparency and humility go hand in glove in public life.