In Search of the Elusive Zimbabwean Dream: An Autobiography of Thought Leadership, Volume I

Book Synopsis: The first of three volumes, this book traces the leadership thoughts and philosophical disposition of Professor Arthur G.O. Mutambara over a period of 35 years, as his generation sought to become the transformation it wished to see in Zimbabwe. The trilogy constitutes a fascinating intellectual and political journey by the man who would become Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe at the age of 42. It is a collection of grounded reflections that he expressed over time, as he endeavoured to move, lead and inspire people, while turning strategic thinking into reality through the speed of execution. Mutambara’s ambition has always been to change the world by igniting citizen activism. It is an epic journey of ideas that created evolutionary and even revolutionary advancement of democratic values, institution-building, social justice, empowerment, shared economic prosperity, people-centred governance and efficacious statecraft. The intrinsic value and relevance of the prescriptions proffered are both enduring and timeless. This volume deals with his formative years and early professional life. This period constitutes the making of a leader of global stature. His profound odyssey of thought leadership started at the age of 16, and moved through the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), where he graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Electrical Engineering. A statement he wrote as a student leader led to the unprecedented closure of UZ. He was injured and detained. His journey of ideas then proceeded to the University of Oxford, where he obtained an MSc in Computer Engineering and a PhD in Robotics and Mechatronics. The next stop was the United States, where he was a Research Scientist at NASA, Professor at MIT and Management Consultant at McKinsey. The book ends with his return to the continent in 2002, equipped with Pan-African, business- and technology-driven developmental strategies and paradigms.