Reverend Professor Peter Mageto elected to serve as the 5th Vice Chancellor of Africa University

The Africa University Zimbabwe Board of Directors elected the Rev. Dr. Peter Mageto to lead Africa University (AU) as its fifth vice-chancellor, Bishop Mande Muyombo announced Tuesday. Mageto, a Kenyan, is the first non-Zimbabwean to lead Africa University—a pan-African, United Methodist-related institution with its main campus located at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe.

Mageto, the former deputy vice chancellor at AU, has been serving as interim vice chancellor since the sudden death of Professor Munashe Furusa in January 2021.

In responding to the Board’s decision, Mageto promised  that academic excellence, innovation, accountability and institutional advancement would undergird Africa University’s fourth decade of continental impact.

“I am humbled by the confidence the AU Board of Directors have shown in appointing me as the fifth Vice Chancellor of Africa University,” Mageto said. “I am convinced that God has privileged me to offer servant leadership characterized by the truth, transparency and integrity in His project, Africa University, for a purpose. I accept this appointment as a vocation with humility and gratitude. I will do my best to take AU to greater heights in the education sector.”

Mageto’s election ends an exhaustive, global search process that generated interest from more than 3,000 people in Africa, North America and Europe. The search, led by Africa University Zimbabwe Board Chair, Bishop Muyombo, garnered 63 applicants, including 30 from sub-Saharan countries. The review process produced a shortlist of twelve for in-depth assessment and three highly qualified candidates for interviews.

Muyombo said he does not take for granted Mageto’s decision to accept the role of vice chancellor at AU.

“As we prepare to host formal events in October to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Africa University, the election of Professor Mageto as the fifth Vice Chancellor of Africa University is a blessing from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I congratulate Professor Mageto and Mrs. Irene Mageto, who joined her husband here today for this pivotal and history-making moment,” said Muyombo.