Zimbabwe to spend $1 billion on university honoring Mugabe
Aug 9, 2017
Zimbabwe to spend $1 billion on university honoring Mugabe; one-quarter of country's budget
HARARE, Zimbabwe — A minister says Zimbabwe's Cabinet has approved spending at least $1 billion to create a university in honor of President Robert Mugabe. The amount represents about a quarter of the country's $4.1 billion budget.
Higher education minister Jonathan Moyo told reporters Wednesday that a foundation owned by the 93-year-old Mugabe and his wife will be in charge of the university.
The project has been planned for years, but Moyo says the first lady has pushed for its completion.
Mugabe has ruled the once-prosperous southern African nation since 1980 and is already campaigning for next year's elections, despite growing concerns about his health.
Zimbabwe is currently deep in economic crisis.
About $800 million will be spent on the university's construction and $200 million put toward an endowment for research and innovation.
More News
Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules
Penalties are seen as too harsh on motorists who are penalised for parking on private land.
Job vacancies fall as small firms cut back on recruitment
Small firms cite labour costs as a key factor in scaling back hiring, the Office for National Statistics says.
Chancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax in Budget
Influential Labour figures had been pushing for equalising CGT and income tax, but critics have said this could drive wealthy people out of Britain.
Food aid charity under pressure from fuel costs
FareShare South West says fuel costs are putting immense pressure on work helping thousands in need.
How is the US economy really doing under President Trump?
Ahead of the midterms Trump has boasted about the performance of the US economy. BBC Verify looks at inflation, jobs and economic growth in the country.
Graphics: China's economy picks up steam in Q3
Graphics: China's economy picks up steam in Q3
The VW Bus, Now Electrified, Keeps on Truckin’
A restored version of Volkswagen’s Flower Power-era Microbus, kitted out by Kindred Motorworks, is aiming for the affluent, while VW’s own E.V. is slow to get moving, much like its forebear.
'I'm fed up of swiping': Why singles now want to meet IRL
The BBC hears from people who think dating events are better value for money than dating apps.
‘A Ticking Time Bomb’: An Economic Crisis Looms in Indonesia
Once a model of economic stability, Indonesia now faces growing hardship at home as President Prabowo Subianto’s policies shake investor confidence.
Black Unemployment Hints at a Job Market in Worse Shape Than It Seems
The Black unemployment rate climbed a percentage point to 7 percent in September, almost double the rate for white workers.
Elon Musk Says He Will Give a SpaceX Share to ‘Every Kid in America’
Anthropic, an A.I. rival to SpaceX, earlier said it would form a “public benefit fund” and other tech moguls have contributed to savings accounts for children.
Christiane Amanpour Says She Is Leaving CNN After 43 Years
The chief international anchor, one of the most famous names in broadcast news, started as an assistant at the network in 1983.