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President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has expressed deep sorrow following the death of Dr. Sydney Zikuzo Gata, the Executive Chairman of ZESA Holdings and husband to Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Hon. Angeline Gata. Dr. Gata passed away on Thursday, 3 July 2025, at a local hospital after a short illness. The President declared Dr Gata a national hero.
In his official condolence message, President Mnangagwa described Dr. Gata as a devoted public servant, brilliant engineer, and educationist whose life’s work transformed Zimbabwe’s energy landscape.
“Dr. Gata was a very committed figure who dedicated his life to providing energy solutions and infrastructure development for the nation. He was a devoted and eminent cutting-edge engineer and educationist who made his mark both in theory and practice in Zimbabwe and beyond in a career that spanned decades in academia, engineering, and public service,” the President said.
Dr. Gata began his professional journey as a lecturer at the Chelsea College of Aeronautical Engineering in London, making significant contributions in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering. He also taught at the City University Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics in London before returning home to lecture at the University of Zimbabwe’s Faculty of Engineering.
He broke new ground as the first black General Manager of the Electricity Supply Company and later rose to become the Chief Executive Officer and board member of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). He also served on the board of the Central Africa Power Corporation (CAPCO).
Among his many notable achievements were overseeing Hwange Power Station Phases 1 and 2, establishing the Main Transmission System and Regional Interconnectors, and developing Zimbabwe’s National and Regional Power Control System. He also crafted the Urban and Rural Electrification Master Plan and led the End User Infrastructure Development Programme, which rolled out 300 irrigation projects nationwide.
Dr. Gata spearheaded the unbundling of the power utility into several subsidiaries, including the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZEDC), ZESA Enterprises, and PowerTel. He further led the rehabilitation of Kariba Hydropower Station and Hwange Units 7 and 8, adding over 900MW to the national grid, leaving behind what the President called “a rich and iconic legacy of architectural excellence in the energy sector.”
Internationally, Dr. Gata held prominent roles in organizations such as the World Energy Council (WEC), where he served as Regional Coordinator for Sub-Saharan Africa and later as Deputy Chairman of the Special Committee on Energy Finance for Developing Countries. He also advised the African Development Bank and Integrated Energy Systems Ltd (UK) on energy issues. At home, he served as the Board Chairman of the Rural Electrification Board.
Offering his condolences on behalf of the nation, the Government, the ruling ZANU PF Party, and his own family, President Mnangagwa extended heartfelt sympathies to the Gata family, particularly to Mai Gata and the children during this time of profound loss.
“May they all be consoled and find comfort in knowing that the works of their father will forever be engraved in the chronicles of the history of our nation. Future generations will always be reminded of this great Engineer through the great works he did for the nation,” the President said.
