Zimbabwe to spend $1 billion on university honoring Mugabe
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A minister says Zimbabwe's Cabinet has approved spending at least $1 billion to create a university in honor of President Robert Mugabe. The amount represents about a quarter of the country's $4.1 billion budget.
Higher education minister Jonathan Moyo told reporters Wednesday that a foundation owned by the 93-year-old Mugabe and his wife will be in charge of the university.
The project has been planned for years, but Moyo says the first lady has pushed for its completion.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mugabe has ruled the once-prosperous southern African nation since 1980 and is already campaigning for next year's elections, despite growing concerns about his health.
Zimbabwe is currently deep in economic crisis.
About $800 million will be spent on the university's construction and $200 million put toward an endowment for research and innovation.