The Education Faculty is sad to announce the death of one of its recent graduates, Dr Victor Tichaona Pesanayi (7/12/1965 - 16/04/2019). Dr Pesanayi was a leading southern African environmental education scholar in the Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC). He has been associated with the Faculty and Education Department for fifteen years, first via links with the Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa and the SADC Regional Environmental Education which he contributed to in leadership roles for many years. He completed his Master’s degree in Environmental Education at Rhodes University with distinction in 2008, and graduated with his PhD on 11 April 2019 to his and his family’s joy.

He was about to take up a post-doctoral position in the ELRC to continue his ground-breaking work on boundary crossing in agricultural learning systems which he established in his PhD via the award winning Amanzi for Food programme. Sadly, he passed away just five days after his graduation in the early hours of 16 April 2019.  Tichaona was known across the SADC region, and indeed around the world for his humble, generous and kind approach to leadership and co-learning, and for always putting the other first. His presence will be missed by all.

Condolences have been coming in from across the SADC Region, and from colleagues around the world. The Education Faculty, the Environmental Learning Research Centre and Rhodes University extend their deepest condolences to his wife Amanda, his mother, siblings, family members and the communities that he served so humbly and gracefully.

There will be a memorial service for Tichaona on Wednesday 24th April at 11:00 in the St Mary’s of the Angels Chapel on the St Peter’s Campus with light snacks served at the Environmental Learning Research Centre afterwards at 12:30. All are welcome to join the Pesanayi Family and the Education Faculty in paying tribute to, and celebrating the life of Tichaona. He will be laid to rest in Madzivadondo in Chivi area, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe on Sunday 28th of April 2019

Last Modified: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 10:07:23 SAST