The University of Zimbabwe, on Tuesday, postponed the convocation, earlier slated for Sept. 13 by a week, following the death of the former president, Robert Mugabe.
The postponement also followed the declaration of national days of mourning, which coincide with the initial date for the graduation.
In a press statement issued by the Information and Public Relations Department, the country’s leading university said the ceremony would now hold on Sept. 20.
“The postponement follows the sad passing on of former President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Robert Gabriel Mugabe and the subsequent declaration, by government, of national mourning until his burial.’’
The government has already announced that Mugabe, who died in Singapore on Sept. 6, would be buried on Sunday, Sept. 15, although it did not indicate where the burial would take place.
There had been reports earlier that Mugabe, who resigned as President in November 2017, had indicated that he did not want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
His family is also yet to confirm the burial date.
The family spokesperson, Leo Mugabe, told the media that traditional leaders in Mugabe’s rural home, Zvimba, would make an announcement on the matter.
(Xinhua/NAN)
