Gwebi College of Agriculture is an
agricultural college
This article lists agricultural universities and colleges around the world, by continent and country.
Africa Algeria
* Higher National Agronomic School (French name: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique)
Benin
* Agricultural University of ...
located near
Harare
Harare (; formerly Salisbury ) is the capital and most populous city of Zimbabwe. The city proper has an area of 940 km2 (371 mi2) and a population of 2.12 million in the 2012 census and an estimated 3.12 million in its metropolitan ...
,
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and Mozam ...
.
History
Formal agricultural education in
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was a landlocked self-governing British Crown colony in southern Africa, established in 1923 and consisting of British South Africa Company (BSAC) territories lying south of the Zambezi River. The region was informally kn ...
began in 1930, when an agricultural college opened at
Matopos
The Matobo National Park forms the core of the Matobo or Matopos Hills, an area of granite kopje
An inselberg or monadnock () is an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge, or small mountain that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually ...
.
However, it closed after a few years.
Gwebi Farm was established by the
Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, also known as the Central African Federation or CAF, was a colonial federation that consisted of three southern African territories: the Self-governing colony, self-governing British colony of Southe ...
's Ministry of Agriculture in the early 20th-century as an experimental station.
In the decades that followed, the farm lapsed in and out of active use.
After
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, Gwebi Farm hosted agricultural courses for ex-servicemen, where they were instructed in skills such as ploughing, herding, and milking.
Ian Smith
Ian Douglas Smith (8 April 1919 – 20 November 2007) was a Rhodesian politician, farmer, and fighter pilot who served as Prime Minister of Rhodesia (known as Southern Rhodesia until October 1964 and now known as Zimbabwe) from 1964 to ...
, the future
Prime Minister of Rhodesia
The prime minister of Rhodesia (Southern Rhodesia before 1964) was the head of government of Rhodesia. Rhodesia, which had become a self-governing colony of the United Kingdom in 1923, unilaterally declared independence on 11 November 1965, ...
, attended courses at Gwebi in 1947 and 1948.
In 1949,
W. L. Fielding arrived in Southern Rhodesia, tasked by the Ministry of Agriculture with establishing an
agricultural college
This article lists agricultural universities and colleges around the world, by continent and country.
Africa Algeria
* Higher National Agronomic School (French name: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique)
Benin
* Agricultural University of ...
at Gwebi.
The college would provide two-year diploma courses to ex-servicemen, many of whom had missed out on higher education during the war.
In February 1950, Gwebi College of Agriculture opened with 24 students. Its campus, located on Sinoia Road outside of
Salisbury
Salisbury ( ) is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England with a population of 41,820, at the confluence of the rivers Avon, Nadder and Bourne. The city is approximately from Southampton and from Bath.
Salisbury is in the southeast of Wil ...
, was originally used to house pilots training at the nearby
Mount Hampden
Mount Hampden is a village in Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe. It is about eleven miles from the capital, Harare. It was the original destination of the Rhodesian Pioneer Column; however, the Column eventually settled some eleven miles to the s ...
airfield during World War II.
The students were 18- and 19-year-old white men, mostly from the colonies of Southern Rhodesia,
Northern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia was a British protectorate in southern Africa, south central Africa, now the independent country of Zambia. It was formed in 1911 by Amalgamation (politics), amalgamating the two earlier protectorates of Barotziland-North-West ...
, and
Nyasaland
Nyasaland () was a British protectorate located in Africa that was established in 1907 when the former British Central Africa Protectorate changed its name. Between 1953 and 1963, Nyasaland was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasala ...
, with a few students from the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
who sought to take up farming in the Federation.
Unlike Southern Rhodesia's agricultural school for blacks,
Chibero College, where students took three year courses, Gwebi offered two-year diploma courses, because the students generally had some experience in agriculture.
The first fully residential institution of higher education in Southern Rhodesia, Gwebi College soon had a significant waiting list. After 15 years, Dr. Fielding left Gwebi in 1965 to take the position of Chair of Agriculture at
Makerere University
Makerere University, Kampala (; Mak) is Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning, first established as a technical school in 1922. It became an independent national university in 1970. Today, Makerere University is composed of ni ...
in
Kampala
Kampala (, ) is the capital and largest city of Uganda. The city proper has a population of 1,680,000 and is divided into the five political divisions of Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division, and Ruba ...
,
Uganda
}), is a landlocked country in East Africa
East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territor ...
.
By the time he left, Gwebi had graduated over 500 students.
In 1965,
Hugh Rodney Mundy
Hugh may refer to:
*Hugh (given name)
Noblemen and clergy French
* Hugh the Great (died 956), Duke of the Franks
* Hugh Magnus of France (1007–1025), co-King of France under his father, Robert II
* Hugh, Duke of Alsace (died 895), modern-day ...
became principal of Gwebi College.
A former
Rhodes Scholar
The Rhodes Scholarship is an international postgraduate award for students to study at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom.
Established in 1902, it is the oldest graduate scholarship in the world. It is considered among the world' ...
at the
University of Oxford
, mottoeng = The Lord is my light
, established =
, endowment = £6.1 billion (including colleges) (2019)
, budget = £2.145 billion (2019–20)
, chancellor ...
, he was previously an
animal husbandry
Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with animals that are raised for meat, fibre, milk, or other products. It includes day-to-day care, selective breeding, and the raising of livestock. Husbandry has a long history, starti ...
lecturer at Gwebi.
As principal, he placed greater emphasis on animal husbandry training, and also frequently
umpired at Gwebi
cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striki ...
matches.
He died in 1970, while still in office.
In August 1970,
Frederick Bernard Rhodes Frederick may refer to:
People
* Frederick (given name), the name
Nobility
Anhalt-Harzgerode
* Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode (1613–1670)
Austria
* Frederick I, Duke of Austria (Babenberg), Duke of Austria from 1195 to 1198
* Frederic ...
, formerly a lecturer in animal husbandry and vice principal, became Principal of Gwebi College.
In 1976, he took a job as project manager at the Keiskammahoek immigration scheme, and stepped down as principal.
Hugh John McLean
Hugh may refer to:
*Hugh (given name)
Noblemen and clergy French
* Hugh the Great (died 956), Duke of the Franks
* Hugh Magnus of France (1007–1025), co-King of France under his father, Robert II
* Hugh, Duke of Alsace (died 895), modern-day ...
became the fourth Principal of Gwebi College in November 1976.
Previously, he was a lecturer in animal husbandry and vice principal since 1970.
He served as principal until 1982,
when he was replaced by
Bob Dunckley
Bob, BOB, or B.O.B. may refer to:
Places
*Mount Bob, New York, United States
*Bob Island, Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica
People, fictional characters, and named animals
* Bob (given name), a list of people and fictional characters
*Bob (surname ...
. By the late 1970s, Gwebi College had graduated more than 1,000 students.
In 1978, the college had 17 instructors and an enrollment of 88 students.
In October 2013, Gwebi College of Agriculture graduated 131 students.
University of Zimbabwe
The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) is a public university in Harare, Zimbabwe. It opened in 1952 as the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and was initially affiliated with the University of London. It was later renamed the University o ...
principal
Levi Nyagura Levi Martin Nyagura is a Zimbabwean academic. He was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe in January 2003 and was subsequently reappointed for a second, third and a fourth term, the latter of which ended in mid 2018.
Education a ...
used his
commencement speech
A commencement speech or commencement address is a speech given to graduating students, generally at a university, although the term is also used for secondary education institutions and in similar institutions around the world.
The commencement ...
to urge the
Zimbabwe Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to create a bachelor's degree program at Gwebi College.
He said,
"Judging by the high standard of the diploma program it will no longer make sense to continue awarding Gwebi graduates a diploma. A Bachelor of Technology
A Bachelor of Technology (Latin ''Baccalaureus Technologiae'', commonly abbreviated as B.Tech. or BTech; with honours as B.Tech. (Hons.)) is an undergraduate academic degree conferred after the completion of a three to five-year program of studi ...
degree in agriculture would be more appropriate."
Academics
Gwebi College of Agriculture ran two-year Diploma in Agriculture courses.
The courses included both lectures and regular visits to working farms. Students were expected to have experienced at least one year working on a farm before enrolling. To enroll, applicants are required a minimum of five
Ordinary levels passes including mathematics, English, language, and science.
Gwebi College is affiliated with the
University of Zimbabwe
The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) is a public university in Harare, Zimbabwe. It opened in 1952 as the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and was initially affiliated with the University of London. It was later renamed the University o ...
.
Student life
A 1980 study found that Gwebi students were more motivated by the desire to obtain a diploma than an interest in farming; at
Chibero College, these priorities were generally reversed.
Sports
Gwebi College of Agriculture maintained a
cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striki ...
team.
Notable people
List of principals
#
W. L. Fielding (1950-1965)
#
Hugh Rodney Mundy
Hugh may refer to:
*Hugh (given name)
Noblemen and clergy French
* Hugh the Great (died 956), Duke of the Franks
* Hugh Magnus of France (1007–1025), co-King of France under his father, Robert II
* Hugh, Duke of Alsace (died 895), modern-day ...
(1965-1970)
#
Frederick Bernard Rhodes Frederick may refer to:
People
* Frederick (given name), the name
Nobility
Anhalt-Harzgerode
* Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode (1613–1670)
Austria
* Frederick I, Duke of Austria (Babenberg), Duke of Austria from 1195 to 1198
* Frederic ...
(1970-1976)
#
Hugh John McLean
Hugh may refer to:
*Hugh (given name)
Noblemen and clergy French
* Hugh the Great (died 956), Duke of the Franks
* Hugh Magnus of France (1007–1025), co-King of France under his father, Robert II
* Hugh, Duke of Alsace (died 895), modern-day ...
(1976-1982)
#
Bob Dunckley
Bob, BOB, or B.O.B. may refer to:
Places
*Mount Bob, New York, United States
*Bob Island, Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica
People, fictional characters, and named animals
* Bob (given name), a list of people and fictional characters
*Bob (surname ...
(1982-?)
Alumni - Old Gwebians
Alumni are known as Old Gwebians.
*
Colin Cloete Colin may refer to:
* Colin (given name)
* Colin (surname)
* ''Colin'' (film), a 2008 Cannes film festival zombie movie
* Colin (horse) (1905–1932), thoroughbred racehorse
* Colin (humpback whale), a humpback whale calf abandoned north of Sydney, ...
(1974), former President of the
Commercial Farmers' Union The Commercial Farmers' Union of Zimbabwe is an organisation that was formed to assist farmers in Zimbabwe with a variety of agricultural services. Farmers within the country pay a subscription fee which entitles them to the use of these services. C ...
*
Eddie Cross
Edward Graham "Eddie" Cross (born 1940), a Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South, is a Zimbabwean economist and founder member of the mainstream Movement for Democratic Change party led by Nelson Chamisa. He is currently the Policy Coordinator ...
(1962), economist and member of Parliament
*
Rob Davenport (1960), commercial farmer and businessman
*
Tom Dumont de Chassart, President of the
Zimbabwe Tobacco Association
*
Bob Dunckley
Bob, BOB, or B.O.B. may refer to:
Places
*Mount Bob, New York, United States
*Bob Island, Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica
People, fictional characters, and named animals
* Bob (given name), a list of people and fictional characters
*Bob (surname ...
(1958), former President of Gwebi College
*
Rusty Markham, member of Parliament
*
Ian Smith
Ian Douglas Smith (8 April 1919 – 20 November 2007) was a Rhodesian politician, farmer, and fighter pilot who served as Prime Minister of Rhodesia (known as Southern Rhodesia until October 1964 and now known as Zimbabwe) from 1964 to ...
(1948),
Prime Minister of Rhodesia
The prime minister of Rhodesia (Southern Rhodesia before 1964) was the head of government of Rhodesia. Rhodesia, which had become a self-governing colony of the United Kingdom in 1923, unilaterally declared independence on 11 November 1965, ...
*
Stephen Gasha (1990),
Higher Research Technician, DR&SS, Marondera (1990 - 2001), IT Support Engineer, UK
*
Peter Steyl (1976), President of the
Commercial Farmers' Union The Commercial Farmers' Union of Zimbabwe is an organisation that was formed to assist farmers in Zimbabwe with a variety of agricultural services. Farmers within the country pay a subscription fee which entitles them to the use of these services. C ...
See also
*
Agriculture in Zimbabwe
Agriculture plays a crucial role in the lives of Zimbabweans in rural and urban areas. Most of the people in rural areas survive on agriculture and they need support for them to get good yields.
Agriculture in Zimbabwe is overseen by the Ministry ...
References
{{authority control
1950 establishments in Southern Rhodesia
Agricultural universities and colleges
Buildings and structures in Mashonaland West Province
Education in Mashonaland West Province
Educational institutions established in 1950
Farms in Zimbabwe
Universities and colleges in Zimbabwe