Dr Enrico Sibanda, the Zimbabwean philanthropist and social entrepreneur who was once a juvenile inmate at Whawha Prison, has defended his honorary awards programme after academics and media critics accused him of debasing scholarship, according to Bulawayo24 News.
Sibanda, who is the country representative of the Women's Heritage Society World Organization and past president of the Philanthropy Institute of Zimbabwe, said the criticism has only hardened his resolve to honour men and women whose work for their communities has gone unrecognised.
From Whawha to the top
Sibanda's story is one of the most remarkable in Zimbabwean philanthropy. Convicted as a juvenile while still in high school, he was sent to Whawha Juvenile Prison, where his hopes of caring for his ageing grandmother were shattered.
But the experience, and the people he met behind bars, moulded him into the determined social entrepreneur he is today.
“I attribute my success to hard work, ingenuity and to a past which changed me, made me a better person, while bringing people in my life who gave me a new lease of life,” Sibanda said.
“Yes, I was at one time arrested as juvenile, something I would not be proud of ordinarily, but I now make it public because of what came out of Whawha.”
He is now chairman of the Zimbabwe Business Awards, the Zimbabwe Leadership Awards and Maverick Ministries International, an inter-denominational leadership organisation.
The Gates inspiration
Sibanda says his philanthropic journey was inspired by American business mogul Bill Gates' visit to Zimbabwe a few years ago.
“When he came to visit, there was so much hype associated with the visit. I remember going to the net to google the word 'philanthropy', and I then realised that I also qualified to be a philanthropist,” he said.
“I had donated money to several institutions and had also raised money to advance the interest of humanity. Wasn't I a philanthropist? Yes I was one.”
That realisation led him to launch the Philanthropy Institute of Zimbabwe, and with it a mission to recognise the unsung heroes of Zimbabwean communities.
To date, more than 2 500 influential individuals and organisations have received accolades from his various entities, covering business, women, peace and humanitarian work, media, information communication technology, gospel and religious awards.
Doctorate row
But his decision to confer honorary doctorates in humane letters has drawn fire from academics and sections of the public, who accuse him of dishing out degrees and reducing the value of advanced scholarship.
Sibanda rejects the charge outright.
“Let me categorically state I never conferred any doctorates, I merely facilitated an event for the work of the International Institute of Philanthropy,” he said.
“More or less if you help organise a wedding, it does not mean it is your wedding. IIP is a legitimate entity, registered and has structures and systems and it merely facilitated an event for an international organisation.”
He pointed to former Higher Education Minister Dr Olivia Muchena, who told Parliament that Government would not interfere because the awards were merely philanthropic honorary degrees.
Sibanda said the honoured individuals have expressed gratitude for finally getting recognition after decades of unheralded work.
“I am not bothered. The individuals and organisations honoured are elated and some even cry because they appreciate the value of the honour we bestow on them,” he said.
'I am maverick, not controversial'
Described by some media as controversial, a con-artist and an unrepentant ex-convict, Sibanda wears the labels as a badge of honour.
“I am not controversial, I am maverick. There is a thin line between controversy and maverism,” he said.
“Now Jesus Christ is the greatest maverick of all times and I am inspired by him to do what I do today. Jesus Christ did things society deemed could not be done, he dared the system. He was a non-conformist.”
Sibanda was recently named among the Top 100 maverick leaders of the 21st century and the Top 100 maverick leaders of the decade under 40 in 2016.
Women first
Raised by his grandmother after his mother died when he was very young, Sibanda says he has deep respect for women, whom he believes are the future leaders globally.
Next month his organisation launches a Women's Christian magazine, television and radio station, together with the inaugural Zimbabwe Gospel Music Awards and a celebration of the top 20 outstanding women in ministry and Christian leadership.
“It is my wish to ensure that their aspirations and needs are catered for, hence the decision to set up these institutions,” he said.
For a nation that has produced its share of larger-than-life figures, Sibanda's journey from a prison cell to the helm of a philanthropic empire is a reminder that redemption is not a foreign concept. It is Zimbabwean.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Dr Enrico Sibanda?
Dr Enrico Sibanda is a Zimbabwean philanthropist and social entrepreneur. He is the country representative of the Women's Heritage Society World Organization in Zimbabwe, past president of the Philanthropy Institute of Zimbabwe, and chairman of the Zimbabwe Business Awards, the Zimbabwe Leadership Awards and Maverick Ministries International.
Why was Dr Sibanda in prison?
Sibanda was convicted of a crime as a juvenile while still in high school and was sent to Whawha Juvenile Prison. He says the experience changed him and set him on the path to philanthropy.
Did Dr Sibanda confer doctorates?
Sibanda denies conferring doctorates himself. He says he merely facilitated an event for the International Institute of Philanthropy, a registered entity, and that former Higher Education Minister Dr Olivia Muchena told Parliament the degrees were philanthropic honorary awards.
What awards has Dr Sibanda received?
He was named among the Top 100 maverick leaders of the 21st century and the Top 100 maverick leaders of the decade under 40 in 2016.