Education is a force that has endured the test of
time, with roots that stretch deep into the human spirit. The world may shift
around it, but the core belief in education's power remains untouched. In a
world that sometimes forgets the beauty of knowledge, there are those who
breathe life back into this noble cause. Pardon Mugari is one such
individual. His work is a reminder that when the heart is set on a higher
purpose, the universe conspires to provide. Take, for instance, his innovative
use of beekeeping at Valley Green Farm: a simple, yet brilliant model where the
bees, without any direct payment, work alongside him, generating income that
fuels his greater mission of educating Zimbabwe’s future. Pardon’s journey
teaches us that when the pursuit of knowledge is aligned with a deeper vision,
even the smallest acts can yield extraordinary outcomes.
Pardon, raised in a family with strong Christian
values, had a profound desire to produce scientists who saw God as the Author
of science. He was deeply concerned by the prevailing divide between science
and faith, especially given that many prominent scientists were atheists.
Pardon believed that if scientists acknowledged God in His rightful position as
the Creator of all, scientific discoveries and innovations would reach far
greater heights. He was convinced that no scientific breakthrough occurs
without the guidance of the omniscient God.
When he launched Hilbright ScienceCollege —starting with just a single desk and chair—he laid the foundation for
an educational model that intricately wove together rigorous scientific
instruction with the principles of the Christian faith.
Cultivating Minds and Morals
Pardon’s long-term vision for
Hilbright is bold and transformative: to build a network of local, regional,
and international institutions that cultivate not only technical and
intellectual excellence, but also strong moral character. For Pardon, the
ultimate goal is to raise a generation of young people uniquely equipped with
both skills and values—individuals capable of offering innovative solutions to
the complex challenges facing humanity today and in the future.
At the heart of Pardon's philosophy
is the belief that education must shape both intellect and character. To embed
honesty, transparency, and hard work into the very fabric of Hilbright Science
College, Pardon established Zimbabwe’s first private institution with a
deliberately structured and vibrant chaplaincy department. This unique
department plays a central role in training and instilling moral values among
both staff and students, affirming Pardon's conviction that faith and science
are inseparable.
Guided by the motto “Be Fruitful and Multiply,” Hilbright emphasizes the cultivation of foundational qualities that extend beyond academics. For Pardon, this principle begins with the metaphor of a seed—highlighting that the quality of the seed influences the richness of the yield. Students are encouraged to see themselves as seeds, each with untapped potential to grow, flourish, and positively impact the world.
Drawing inspiration from the
parable of the sower, Pardon underscores the importance of self-awareness in
determining whether one is a "good seed" or a "bad seed."
At Hilbright, this introspection is nurtured through active participation in
school life, where students express their character through their choices and
interactions. Resident chaplains and staff offer consistent guidance, helping
students shape their moral compass and strengthen their sense of purpose.
This developmental approach ensures
that at every educational milestone, students are not only enhancing their
academic knowledge but also proving their worth to themselves, their school,
their communities, and their nation. As they grow, they are equipped to make
meaningful contributions—whether in their churches, homes, or professional
environments.
For Pardon, values like respect, humility, and compassion are not optional additions to a student’s education—they are essential. By fostering these virtues alongside rigorous academics, Hilbright Science College prepares young people who are morally grounded and ready to meet life’s challenges with courage, clarity, and conviction.
Sowing Seeds of Knowledge, Faith, and Prosperity
As a chemistry and biology teacher, Pardon always
began his lessons with a prayer or by reading a Bible verse. When he founded
Hilbright, starting with a single desk and chair, he ensured that the teaching
of science was intricately interwoven with the Word of God. His vision was to
establish a network of local, regional, and international learning institutions
that would produce young people who were not only highly skilled but also
morally grounded, equipping them to provide solutions to the complex challenges
facing humanity now and in the future.
Pardon emphasizes honesty, transparency, and hard work
as fundamental values in modern education. At Hilbright Science College, these
values are instilled in both students and faculty through a carefully designed
approach. The college is proud to be the first private institution in Zimbabwe
to establish a deliberately planned and well-equipped vibrant chaplaincy
department. This department's key mandate is to train and instill unique moral
values in both staff and students. For Pardon, faith and science are
intricately interwoven, and he believes that the two are inseparable,
reinforcing these principles throughout the college's educational framework.
Pardon believes that Africa was designated by God to produce organic food for the world. He sees the continent's soils, climate, and natural resources as key elements that should guide its core activities. For Pardon, the merging of agriculture with philanthropy at Valley Green Farm was inspired by the conviction that there is no better way to empower people than through agricultural skills training. He envisions this initiative as a means to harness Africa’s abundant resources to both sustain its people and contribute to global food security
Merging Agriculture with
Philanthropy
For Pardon, the vision behind Valley Green Farm stems from a deeply held belief: Africa was divinely designated to feed the world with organic, naturally grown food. With its fertile soils, favorable climate, and rich natural resources, the continent holds untapped agricultural potential. Pardon sees no better way to uplift communities than through hands-on agricultural training and economic empowerment. His model at Valley Green Farm exemplifies this conviction—blending sustainability with philanthropy to foster long-term development. Agriculture, in his view, is not just a means of production, but a tool for transformation.
Building a Sweeter Future
Pardon has over 1,000 beehives, with a mature colony of bees reaching up to 100,000 worker bees in each hive. This innovative approach generates income for the construction of a school for vulnerable children, as the bees "work" for the farm without requiring payment. Instead, the farm collects the sweet product from the bees every three months, effectively turning beekeeping into a unique real estate business. Pardon emphasizes that the school's students are inspired by this model, learning that wealth can be generated from existing resources and that poverty often stems from the limitations of the mind. He believes that Africa's vast natural resources must be harnessed for its development and prosperity.
With over 1.2 tonnes of raw honey produced monthly, Pardon sees great potential for the apiculture initiative to scale and impact more communities in Zimbabwe. The farm is expanding its beekeeping projects in the Eastern Highlands, partnering with local outgrower communities to train them and provide equipment for efficient honey production. Additionally, Pardon is leading efforts to help Zimbabwean farmers produce buckwheat grain and buckwheat honey, noting that beekeeping and buckwheat farming go hand in hand. He envisions Zimbabwe as one of the top honey producers in the world.
Feathers in His Cap
One of Pardon’s key achievements at Hilbright Science
College has been promoting the girl child in science education. The college
adopted a policy of ensuring 55% female students and 45% male students in
A-level science subjects, developing specialized pedagogical interventions,
programs, and activities to encourage girls to take up science subjects. In
January 2010, Hilbright celebrated one of its best-ever A-level Cambridge
results (from the November 2009 exams), with 8 out of 12 students joining the
University of Zimbabwe's School of Medicine, and many of those students being
girls. That year, the college had 21 students with 15 points, many of whom
excelled in key science subjects like mathematics, physics, and chemistry. To
this day, Hilbright remains unique in its efforts to demystify science
education for girls.
Another major achievement has been the promotion of
STEM education in Zimbabwe. Hilbright Science College played a pivotal role in
advancing STEM education well before it became a focus under Professor Jonathan
Moyo, the then Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education. In 2013, Hilbright
partnered with a local electronics engineering company, Mukonitronics, and
began having students create electronic gadgets at school. Today, Hilbright
remains a leader in skills training for both primary and secondary students,
ensuring that students are equipped with the practical skills needed to excel
in the modern technological world.
Shaping Globally Competitive Scientists for Tomorrow
Pardon emphasizes the importance of international
education to ensure that Hilbright students are globally competitive. He links
current students with former students, particularly those studying in
international universities, so they can support each other with university
placements abroad. Through this initiative, Pardon aims to produce globally
competent scientists who can thrive anywhere in the world.
With 184 former Hilbright students
currently studying medicine, engineering, and computer science in China, Pardon
is committed to ensuring that his students remain globally competitive. The
institution actively promotes international education, linking current students
with former alumni to assist with university placements abroad. Pardon stresses
the importance of creating globally competent scientists, prepared to excel in
any part of the world. This global perspective is embedded in the college’s
philosophy of producing well-rounded, highly skilled professionals who can
thrive internationally.
Balancing Discipline and Creativity
Regarding maintaining discipline and fostering
creativity, Pardon underscores the significance of discipline in all aspects of
Hilbright's operations. He believes in clear programs and policies that prevent
students from mixing darkness with light or good with evil. At the same time,
he encourages an environment where students can express their opinions openly
and honestly, and where criticism is viewed positively by both students and
faculty. Creativity is nurtured in this disciplined yet open environment,
ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet modern scientific challenges.
Unlocking Prosperity in Zimbabwe
Pardon reflects on the unique socio-economic
challenges faced by both Hilbright and Valley Green Farm. He acknowledges the
impact of Zimbabwe's unpredictable economic upheavals since Hilbright’s
establishment in 2007 but emphasizes resilience, innovation, and diligence as
essential values in overcoming these obstacles. He believes that hope serves as
a strong foundation for navigating these challenges.
When discussing poverty, Pardon refers to it as a
"poverty of the mind," particularly in a resource-rich country like
Zimbabwe. He encourages young Zimbabweans to leverage the abundant land,
minerals, and natural resources available to them, urging them to adopt a
mindset focused on self-sufficiency and growth to drive prosperity.
Revolutionizing Organic Health Food Production
Pardon is also involved in several other initiatives,
such as buckwheat farming. He recounts how, in 2013, he discovered a few seeds
of buckwheat, which had gone extinct in Zimbabwe. By 2019, his efforts had
resulted in the growth of five tonnes of the crop, and his unique variety has
since spread across the country. In 2022, he established Zimbabwe's first-ever
buckwheat dehusking plant, positioning the crop to revolutionize organic health
food production in the country.
Planting Seeds of Change for Africa’s Future
Pardon envisions leaving behind a
legacy of mindset change for future generations of Zimbabwean students,
entrepreneurs, and educators. He strongly believes that Africa has all the
resources it needs to thrive and that the continent should not try to replicate
the achievements of other countries but instead embrace and value its unique
gifts. He emphasizes that Africa was never disadvantaged and that its true
potential lies in understanding and utilizing its own resources. Through both
precept and example, Pardon hopes to inspire a shift in mindset, encouraging
Zimbabweans to recognize the wealth of opportunities within their reach. His
goal is to instill a sense of pride and self-worth in future generations,
enabling them to unlock their true potential and contribute meaningfully to the
continent's development.
