New Midlands State University law school brings legal education closer to Midlands communities

Patrick Chitumba in Kwekwe

FOR Midlands State University law student Langelihle Machekecha, walking into a dedicated law school with modern lecture rooms and specialised facilities has brought a sense of possibility that was missing when students shared facilities with other faculties.

Machekecha is among about 700 students now based at the Midlands State University (MSU) Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School in Kwekwe, following the relocation of the Faculty of Law from Gweru earlier this month.

In interviews, law students say the new campus is more than just a new learning facility, describing it as a step towards bringing legal education closer to communities and widening opportunities for students from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We now have our own space as law students, unlike in the past when we shared with other faculties. The lecture rooms and equipment are state-of-the-art and we are optimistic that this change will assist our learning,” said Machekecha.

The relocation has also given students access to facilities designed specifically for legal education, including a Moot Court, while easing pressure on infrastructure at MSU’s main campus.

Another law student, Tariro Mudzonga, said the Moot Court has become a gateway to opportunities beyond the classroom.

“The Moot Court we participate in has opened opportunities for disadvantaged students like myself from rural areas by giving us the chance to go on international platforms. We are currently seeing some members of our group participating internationally,” she said.

Mudzonga said such opportunities were critical in ensuring that students from rural and marginalised communities were not excluded from international academic and professional platforms.

Elaine Makore said the relocation had also eased congestion in the university’s library.

“Our library is accommodating us in our large numbers, as opposed to the library at the main campus which was overwhelmed,” she said.

Makore said establishing the law school in Kwekwe was a step towards making quality university education more accessible and ensuring that students and communities outside major cities were not left behind.

The ED Mnangagwa Law School has an enrolment of about 700 students, with around 400 based on campus while the remainder are on attachment.

The demand for legal education, however, remains high.

MSU Kwekwe Campus director Dr Gilbert Tarugarira said the latest intake could accommodate only 100 students out of more than 1 000 applications, highlighting the potential for further expansion now that the university has adequate infrastructure.

“The policy which Zimbabwe has adopted is bringing education closer to the people, so we believe that the location of this campus serves a community which was starved of the services which we are going to provide. It has helped with decentralisation,” he said.

Dr Tarugarira said the campus would create opportunities for students who may previously have been unable to pursue university education because of distance and associated costs.

Transport remains one of the challenges the university is working to address.

Students have been paying up to US$3 for a single 10-kilometre trip between Kwekwe town and the campus.

Dr Tarugarira said Zupco had responded positively to the university’s request for a dedicated service.

“Zupco has been favourable in terms of their response to our needs and has promised to provide a bus to link MSU and town soon after the Heroes’ Holiday at 50 cents a trip, which is very affordable,” he said.

Accommodation is also being addressed, with student hostels currently under construction.

Dr Tarugarira said the hostel project, being undertaken by the Public Service Pension Fund, had experienced financial challenges but could begin accommodating students within three months, although finishing works would continue until April 2027.

The facilities will include a gym and recreational amenities and have been designed as a one-stop centre catering for students’ needs.

The Kwekwe campus also houses the Faculty of Built Environment, Art and Design, while the

Faculty of Agriculture is expected to be introduced.

The idea of establishing the law school was mooted in 2015 by, among others, President

Mnangagwa and the late national hero Professor Ngwabi Bhebhe.

Its opening marks the culmination of a decade-long vision to expand access to legal education in the Midlands Province.

Government, through Treasury, has so far availed more than ZiG263 million towards the construction of the campus.