AGBGM Partners with AU on Vital Agricultural and Public Health Research in Africa
frica University (AU) and the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church (GBGM) are partnering to assure that groundbreaking research and innovation in agriculture and public health in Africa continues.
At the heart of this new four-year AU-GBGM collaboration and funding grant is support for the university’s life-saving work on malaria prevention through the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Program in Malaria (ZENTO). ZENTO’s research output has won international recognition, with awards for its scientific merit and contributions to the global discourse on malaria.
This work, which was negatively impacted by the abrupt withdrawal of USAID funding in February, involved Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care and its malaria partners, and led to breakthroughs such as the identification of insecticide-resistant vectors, the creation of one of the region’s largest malaria research and insect reference centers, and ultimately, significantly fewer malaria cases in Zimbabwe’s hardest hit provinces.
“The elimination of foreign aid funds has
impacted vital work at AU. Though we cannot fill the full funding gap caused by these massive funding cuts, we hope to help mitigate some of the impact. This will allow AU to continue vital work in education, health and sustainable agriculture,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary for Global Ministries.
chancellor of Africa University.
“With this support, our faculty and students can continue doing what they do best: shaping knowledge into action, and action into lasting change,” said Mageto. “The future is calling and together, we are answering it!”
GBGM is providing funding, technical support and capacity building resources through its successful Yambasu Agricultural Initiative—which honors the late Bishop John K. Yambasu whose tragic death in a road accident occurred within months of being elected as the 4th chancellor of Africa University.
Although the priority areas for agricultural research are still being defined, this AUGBGM partnership opens doors for AU’s students and faculty researchers to persist in academic enquiry, develop and test new knowledge, benefit from effective mentorship, and extend the impact of their efforts continently.
“At a time when many doors have closed, GBGM has chosen to invest in African solutions, led by African minds,” said Peter Mageto, vice
“This partnership is a powerful testimony of what Africa University represents—hope, resilience, and possibility,” said Mageto.
Carolinas Black Clergy Effort Yields Four-Year Scholarship
A scholarship initiative, spearheaded by Black clergy leaders in the Carolinas in honor of Bishop Tracy S. Malone, is set to go over the top. To date, gifts and pledges for the Bishop Tracy S. Malone direct scholarship appeal from friends of Africa University in North Carolina, South Carolina, Western North Carolina primarily, and from across the nation, total more than $32K.
Launched at the annual Carolinas Black Clergy Leaders Retreat in Myrtle Beach, S.C., last May, the effort celebrates the start of Bishop Malone’s tenure as president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist
Church. Initially, the retreat’s program team set a goal of $7,000 to fund one year of undergraduate study. Africa University named Ruth Kamwanya, a business major from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and refugee based at the Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe, as the scholarship beneficiary.
This year, James H. Salley, president and chief executive officer of Africa University (TN) Inc. and the university’s associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement, introduced attendees to Ruth using her bio and a video greeting as part of his update on
developments at the institution.
Salley shared that for $28K students in challenging circumstances, such as refugees like Ruth, can complete a four-year degree at Africa University and he invited those present to lean in and take their engagement to the next level. Attendees responded generously, with 28 gifts made in person as well as online gifts, totaling close to $21K.
“You are the reason I get up in morning and continue to do the work that I do,” Salley said, thanking the crowd.
Adapted from an article by Jessica Brodie, editor of the
Ruth Kamwanya, a business major from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will receive four years of undergraduate study from the scholarship fund.
With AU’s Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program, students learn sustainable and integrated farming, including the use of smart collars in livestock breeding and management.
South Carolina Advocate.
AU Fund 100% Support
The Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church with a 100 percent or more remittance to the AUF apportionment over the past two years are:
North Central Jurisdiction 2023 2024
Dakotas 100% East Ohio 100% 100%
Indiana 100%
Michigan 100%
Golf with Purpose. Lead with Impact.
2025 Wespath-Bishop Leonard Fairley Golf Invitational
Orangeburg Country Club | September 29, 2025
Join us for an unforgettable day of golf, fellowship, and giving back—all in support of Africa University, a leader in transforming lives across the continent through faith-driven education.
This sell-out tournament draws 28 teams and top-tier sponsors from across the Southeast and beyond. It’s your chance to connect, compete, and contribute—with your brand in the spotlight.
Northeastern Jurisdiction 2023 2024
"Bishop Fairley is all in—and so are we. This tournament is ministry in motion.”—James H. Salley, President & CEO, Africa University (Tennessee) Inc.
Why Sponsor?
• High-visibility brand exposure.
• Direct access to influential leaders.
• Align with global impact through Africa University.
Why Africa University?
• 12,000+ graduates.
• 32+ African nations. One mission: equipping Africa’s future leaders to drive peace, innovation, and development.
Spots fill fast!
Event Contact:
James H. Salley audevoffice@africau.org
South Central Jurisdiction
New Solar Power Plant Makes Wide-Ranging Impact for AU and Zimbabwe
Southeastern Jurisdiction 2023
Africa University is deeply thankful for the extravagant generosity of local congregations. Thank you for living out a mindset of abundance and shared mission. To the 17 conferences that achieved a 100% investment in the AUF in 2024, thank you for your faithfulness in sharing your blessings so that lives and communities are transformed.
Load shedding, introduced over the past two years, has led to frequent electricity blackouts in the eastern part of Zimbabwe.
Africa University administrators responded to these scheduled outages, known as load shedding and meant to manage the demand for electricity from the national grid, with backup generators. That response brought its own set of challenges for the students and the university administration alike.
Apart from the noise and air pollution from the diesel-powered generators, the backup system did not run all night and was expensive. For many AU students, the process was disruptive, as they missed deadlines due to these rolling power cuts.
A new solar mini-grid at AU, just outside Zimbabwe’s third-largest city of Mutare, is changing the lives of students. Officially commissioned and installed in June, the solar power plant has 590 solar panels, a 250 kilovolts inverter system, and a 600-kilowatt-hour battery bank, with 25-year lifespan lithium batteries.
The project is funded by AU (Tennessee) Inc., to provide the resources to grow and sustain the university long-term. Although currently 50 percent complete, the solar plant is providing uninterrupted power to AU’s main campus, including student hostels and laboratories. Beyond savings, AU will reap operational, relational and sustainability benefits. By reducing its demand on the national grid, the institution releases electricity and improves access for surrounding communities.
AU is working to generate 1.4 MW of solar power by October. At plant completion, any excess electricity generated will be shared with the Old Mutare United Methodist Church Mission Center, home to schools, a children’s home, and a 90-bed hospital.
Ultimately, the AU solar plant project’s wideranging impact benefits everyone within the Manicaland region by giving residents access the electricity on the national grid that the institution no longer consumes.
Adapted from a story by Farai Matiashe, a freelance journalist based in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
This team of golfers are among supporters of the Wespath – Bishop Leonard Fairley Golf Invitational scheduled for Sept. 29, 2025, at the Orangeburg (SC) Country Club.
Bishop Leonard Fairley
Graduates Ready to Tackle Climate Crisis
With a background in animal science, AU student Nyamongo Abiod Nyachiro has witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change worsened by livestock production: like greenhouse gas emissions, methane from animal digestion, and nitrous oxide from manure management. With that as motivation, Nyachiro, from Kenya, sought training to help solve climate change problems.
The 33-year-old earned a master’s in biotechnology in June through online classes at Africa University (AU) in collaboration with Claflin University in South Carolina,
Mozambique and Zimbabwe who earned master’s degrees in climate change and biotechnology degrees through the online program that launched in 2022.
Africa contributes less than 4% to global emissions from fossil fuels and agriculture, yet adverse outcomes highlight the impact of climate change over the years across the continent. AU has been collaborating with universities in the US to enhance Africa's capacity to deliver homegrown solutions to a number of critical challenges.
How You Can Help
Located at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa University is an accredited United Methodistrelated educational institution in Africa, established by action of the General Conference. The university offers degree programs in four colleges and one school: Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CHANS); Business and Management Science (CBMS); Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS); Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education (CSSTH&E); and the School of Law.
Zimbabwean and Kenyan AU graduates Brenda Makonyere and Nyamongo Abiod Nyachiro earned master’s degrees in biotechnology and climate change in online classes with Claflin University, located in South Carolina.
“The only way that we can be able to address climate change is by teaching more young people in Africa to solve this problem,” says Nyachiro, one of four students from Nigeria, Kenya,
Nyachiro hopes AU initiates this program on campus. “Having one of our own would contribute not only economically in terms of intellectual development but also make it easier for students from humble family backgrounds to study and generate home-tailored solutions to climate change,” he says.
Farai Matiashe is an award-winning journalist based in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
New Scholarship Honors Beloved AU Lecturer
Africa University alumni and friends have launched the TuariraMtaitaScholarshipFund to honor the life and legacy of beloved lecturer and mentor, Mr. Tuarira Abduel Mtaita. The goal: raise $7,000 to fully fund one undergraduate student for the 2025–2026 academic year, beginning August 4th.
A dedicated educator for over 40 years, Mtaita nurtured numerous
professionals through his expertise in crop science and horticulture, and his deep personal commitment to mentorship, discipline, and service.
A native of Chome village near Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mtaita joined Africa University in 1993 and held multiple leadership roles, including acting dean and chair of the Financial Aid Committee. He authored seven books and co-authored 67 publications, helping to position AU as a leader in sustainable agriculture training.
Alumna Sophia (Chiremba) Anong (FANR, 1997) shared, “Mr. Mtaita was more than a lecturer to me—he was a mentor and consistent nurturer. It is a blessing to honor his 32-year impact at AU through this scholarship so that
others can realize their potential.”
Mtaita passed away in March 2025 following a road accident, but his legacy of service, discipline, and generosity continues to inspire. Through this scholarship, the AU community is ensuring that future students benefit from the same opportunities and encouragement he provided so generously.
Scan to contribute to the Tuarira Mtaita Scholarship Fund or to learn more, email audevoffice@africau.org.
Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. Thank you for investing in changed lives and communities! Encourage your church to keep its investment goal for the Africa University Fund at the figure set by the 2016 General Conference and strive for a 100 percent apportionment remittance. Sending a portion of your goal each month makes it easier to reach full remittance by year’s end. Your church’s generosity ensures support of Africa University’s operational costs such as utilities, equipment, and faculty salaries. Consider these additional ways of helping the university educate new leaders for the nations of Africa:
Planned Gifts are the foundation for the longterm survival of Africa University. As you make your estate plans, consider leaving a gift or bequest to Africa University in your will. If you have already included the university in your estate plans, please let us know so we may welcome you to the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society.
Usahwira—This word in the Shona language means “a beautiful friendship.” Encourage your local church can become a partner with Africa University by supporting one student for four years. The annual cost of supporting one undergraduate student is just $7,000. Local churches and individuals may provide full or partial scholarships.
Endowment Fund—Give to the Africa University Endowment Fund (World Service Special Gift #03-01-88). The interest income from the endowment provides scholarships for our students.
For more information about giving opportunities or to make a gift, visit us at https://support. africau.org. To learn about Africa University and its impact, visit africau.edu.
Let’s work together to continue the transformation of lives and of Africa. To download resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment, visit: ResourceUMC and/or the resources page at support.africau.org.
Africa University Development Office P O Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438; Fax: (615) 340-7290 audevoffice@africau.org https://support.africau.org
Tuarira Mtaita
P.O. Box 340007
Nashville, TN 37203-0007
Latest News from Africa University
Honoring the Bardens’ Legacy of Faith Through Scholarship
Together, in 1931, Dr. John G. and Mrs. Imogene Barden set sail on their missionary assignment to what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their work in the mission schools set in motion a commitment to transformational education and ministry that continues to grow through each generation of the Barden family.
An underlying theme that has guided members of the family follows the words of John Wesley’s declaration, “The world is my parish.”
The grandchildren of John and Imogene—Rev. Anna Barden and Rev. Dr. Mark Barden, along with his wife, Rev. Barbara Barden—share their own faith through service. Rooted in Methodist traditions, the Bardens have
dedicated their lives to walking alongside congregations and communities wherever they have been called. Their work in ministry reflects a steadfast commitment to global service, spiritual formation, and transformative leadership.
The Dr. John G. and Mrs. Imogene Barden Scholarship, a powerful expression of the family’s legacy, is a lasting investment in the future of students at Africa University. This scholarship extends the covenant of service begun decades ago by supporting the next generation of leaders on the African continent— equipping students through education, empowering communities, and sustaining hope.
As pastors, educators, and mentors, the members of the Barden family understand firsthand the lifechanging impact of education. Through their generosity, the Bardens model proactive, faithful stewardship of generational blessings. They are easing financial burdens and opening doors of opportunity for Africa University students, carrying their faith forward into a future of service, leadership, and transformation.
The AU Today is published by the Africa University Development Office. For more information, contact the Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007
