Pardon Mugari: Harvesting a Brighter Tomorrow for Zimbabwe

Pardon Mugari: Harvesting a Brighter Tomorrow for Zimbabwe

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

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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.

"Discipline is the foundation of true learning. At Hilbright, we teach our students that structure and creativity go hand in hand—one cannot thrive without the other."
"Science without God is incomplete. Every breakthrough is guided by the wisdom of the Creator, and true scientific discovery acknowledges His hand in all things."