* A distinguished scholar who maintained clear lines between power of influence and professionalism
* An epitome of a gentleman, who gave academic administration elegance,respect and desirable command at every
* The Exquisite Gentleman; a man of class. He had a presence about him. And that deep golden baritone voice!
By Duncan Mlanjira
Tributes keep pouring in at the news of the passing of Prof. Zimani David Kadzamira, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malawi (UNIMA) from 2005 to 2009 — succeeding Prof. David Rubadiri.
UNIMA’s Vice-Chancellor Wall of Fame
He has been described as “an affable gentleman,who served his country well” and that he has “left behind a great legacy, especially in the academic arena”.
When confirming the sad news, UNIMA Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise, added his own eulogy, saying: Prof Zimani Kadzamira — the Exquisite Gentleman: a man of class. He had a presence about him. And that deep golden baritone voice! Hamba kahle Tata.”
Emmanuel Kaluluma responded: “We join you as you mourn this distinguished scholar, who maintained clear lines between power of influence and professionalism. May his soul rest in internal peace.”
McDonald Kanyangale described Kadzamira as “an epitome of a gentleman, who gave academic administration elegance,respect and desirable command at every”.
Despite his position, Kadzamira was a down-to earth individual, and several UNIMA Alumni fondly reminisce that on Chancellor College (CHANCO) campus, “his name was very much respected”.
“Robins Lukasi wrote: “He served UNIMA with dedication and humility. I remember going to his office as a CHANCO student and later as a Government employee — he was the same person: very humble.“
Gwen Mtimaukanena agreed to this, attesting to that Prof. Kadzamira was “a great leader who handled students as his on children — gentle, fatherly and understanding”.
“Rest in power, Sir. May his memory be a blessing to all who worked with and knew him.“
Others maintained that he was a very good man, who positively impacted the lives of many, with Henry Hunga sharing a testimony that when he experienced a car breakdown along Old Naisi Road in Zomba around 19h00 Kadzamira stopped for him.
“I needed some oil and he said ‘I’m coming’. He came back with oil and gave me [yet] I had never met him before. So kind of him.”
The UNIMA also published its tribute on its media platform, saying: “Professor Kadzamira was an esteemed scholar, an inspiring leader, and a man of deep faith.
“His dedication to advancing higher education and his significant contributions to national development leave behind a lasting and admirable legacy.
“He touched many lives through his wisdom, service, and commitment to excellence.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him, and may he rest in eternal peace.”
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Social media HardTalk platform member, Hastings Msosa wrote on his Facebook account, reporting that he and Prof. Kadzamira partly grew up together in Salisbury, now Harare, Zimbabwe.
He wrote: Prof. Zimani Kadzamira, former UNIMA Vice-Chancellor and brother of Mama Cecilia Kadzamira has died. But who was he?
Born on July 1, 1941 in Harare, Zimbabwe, then Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia, Zimani David Kadzamira began his early education there before returning to Malawi for his secondary education.
He later travelled to the United States, where he studied Political Science at Princeton University, graduating in 1966. In 1974, he obtained a doctorate in Government from the University of Manchester.
His long association with the University of Malawi, began in 1966, when he joined the institution as an assistant lecturer. Over the years, he rose through the academic ranks to become a professor and took on several senior administrative responsibilities.
The great Chancellor College
At different points in his career, he served in senior leadership at Chancellor College, including as Principal, before eventually rising to become Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malawi.
Professor Kadzamira became Vice-Chancellor in 2005, succeeding Professor David Rubadiri. He was one of the university’s longest-serving leaders of that era.
But his career was not confined to academia. He served as Malawi’s first Ambassador to Japan from 1992 to 1994 and later took up several international responsibilities, including roles with the WorldFish Center and the UbuntuNet Alliance, where he served as chairperson.
His family name was also familiar to Malawians for another reason. His sister, Cecilia Kadzamira, served as official hostess to President Hastings Kamuzu Banda and became popularly known as ‘Mama’.
Another sister, Mary Kadzamira, served as Banda’s private secretary. But Professor Zimani Kadzamira built a name of his own.
From an assistant lecturer at the University of Malawi to professor, university administrator, diplomat and eventually Vice-Chancellor, his was a career that crossed academia, public service and international diplomacy.
As Malawi mourns his passing, the country remembers a man whose professional life was deeply woven into the history of the University of Malawi and the wider public service, writes Hastings Msosa.
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