On the 20th of August 2025, a silence was broken by the sound of progress at the Africa University (AU) campus in Mutare. The dedication of the newly christened Mutare United Methodist Education Company (MUMEC)/Africa University Farm marked the beginnings of a rebirth, a signal of a bold return to the “critical roots” of an institution whose very foundation was built upon a farm, and whose first two faculties were dedicated to the essential pillars of Agriculture and Theology.
In a vision reborn through stewardship and under a new tripartite vision of sustainability, self-sustenance, and learning through application, the farm has received a transformative lease on life. This revival was made possible through a strategic grant from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), awarded under the Bishop John K. Yambasu Agriculture Initiative.
Leading the Way in Food Securities
Under the strategic leadership of Project Manager Ms. Yollanda Washaya and Farm Manager Mr. Mpofu, every cent is being turned into a seed for the future. The university is proving that with the right resources and a spirit of excellence, African institutions can lead the way in food security.
Innovation in Motion: From Greenhouse to Table- The energy on the farm is electric, and the results are already hitting the plates of the community. In a major milestone, the farm recently harvested its first fruits of green peppers, delivering them straight to the Bonaventure Ndorimana Dining Hall, with the surplus on sale to the local community.
The momentum is visible across every acre. Horticulture Excellence-The farm has invested in state-of-the-art greenhouses to ensure year-round production of tomatoes and peppers, with the Dining Hall serving as the primary, hungry customer.
- Poultry & Protein- While the Broiler section is already consistently supplying chickens for student meals, the Layers section is buzzing with growth as eight-week-old pullets are raised to become the campus’s future egg source.
- Infrastructure for Efficiency - To ensure nothing goes to waste, the farm has procured a blast freezer, a move that brings professional-grade efficiency to their processing operations.
- A Growing Piggery-The breeding program is in full swing, ensuring a sustainable cycle of pork production that honors the grant’s long-term goals.
At the heart of the mission, Project Manager Ms. Yollanda Washaya captures the optimism of this era perfectly: “We are going above and beyond farming, we are building a model of excellence. This is a return to what makes Africa University special, taking our original site and turning it into a living laboratory that feeds our 2,500 students and staff daily.”
As Africa University reclaims its identity as a pioneer in land-based learning, the sense of pride is palpable. We are witnessing the birth of a self-sustaining ecosystem that honors the past while feeding the future.
Your Generous Support Helps Educate Africa
By supporting the Africa University Fund apportionment, you help provide financial support for the general operating expenses of Africa University. This university helps empower students from across the continent of Africa to give back to their individual countries on their return home. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Africa University Fund at 100 percent.
excerpt from a story by Jeanette Dadzie, Africa University
This story shows the impact of the Africa University Fund—one of seven apportionment funds of The United Methodist Church—to equip new generations of leaders for the African continent. Your church’s giving supports Africa University in Zimbabwe, where students from across Africa receive higher education rooted in faith, excellence, and service. Together, we help shape leaders who transform their nations and communities.
When your church supports the Africa University Fund, you empower students to become changemakers grounded in hope and faith.
