Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga graduates with doctorate

Source: Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga graduates with doctorate – herald

Tongai Mashonga, tongimashon@gmail.com

VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Francisca Baloyi-Chiwenga, has graduated with a Doctor of Business Leadership degree from Midlands State University (MSU), with her research tackling the delicate balance between defence spending and civilian needs.

Col Baloyi-Chiwenga was capped by President Mnangagwa, who is the MSU Chancellor, during the university’s graduation ceremony yesterday.
Her doctoral research examined how Government can balance defence expenditure with spending on civilian priorities, a challenge commonly referred to as the “guns versus butter” dilemma.

Speaking after her graduation, Col Baloyi-Chiwenga said her research sought to develop a practical framework to help policymakers allocate limited national resources among competing priorities.
“There’s always a lot of polarisation when it comes to such issues. So I was trying to come up with a framework that will assist the Government in a way to guide them on how to allocate the limited resources to different sectors of our society,” she said.

Col Baloyi-Chiwenga said she was pleased that her academic work had contributed to research in the field.
“I feel so happy because I feel like academically I’ve been able to contribute to that field,” she said.

Col Baloyi-Chiwenga said her academic journey also carried a broader message for young Zimbabweans, particularly girls and young women, whom she encouraged to pursue their ambitions through hard work and perseverance.

“I feel like it’s important for every Zimbabwean, especially the girl child, because I went through each and every step that every Zimbabwean is supposed to go through. So it teaches them that there are no shortcuts in life,” she said.

“You have to do everything that you have to do. There’s no substitute for hard work and if you work hard, there will be results. As somebody who is a leader in society, we are preaching to our children. This is the way that you have to travel and we show them by leading that way.”

Her graduation comes as Government continues to promote the participation of women in research, academia, leadership and the security sector.
The doctorate adds to Col Baloyi-Chiwenga’s academic and professional credentials, while her research provides a policy-oriented perspective on the competing demands for public resources.

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