Former Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says late University of Zambia Economics Professor Venketash Sheshamani contributed immensely to the economics profession in Zambia.
Dr Musokotwane said the economics fraternity has received the news of the demise of Prof. Seshamani with great sadness.
“Prof has contributed immensely to the economics profession in Zambia since the early 1980s in terms of training, research and advice,” Dr Musokotwane said.
“I am one of the first two Zambians that Prof taught. Being his first Zambian academic son (the other Zambian he taught being female) it is essential that I make some remarks about him in remembrance. The place was the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and the year was 1979. I was pursuing an M.A. degree specialising in Monetary Economics. I was 23 years and Prof must have been in his 30s.”
Dr Musokotwane added, “Prof taught me two of the compulsory courses namely economic theory and quantitative methods.”
“The thing you immediately learnt about Prof is that he was very deep and rigorous. Every minute was packed with technical detail. If your mind wandered off for even half a minute you would have tough time to catch up,” Dr Musokotwane recounted
“Having been so impressed with this man, I spoke to him to see if he could agree to come to the University of Zambia. Fortunately he did and this was in the early 1980s. I can’t remember the year because by then I was away in West Germany (together with Dr Caleb Fundanga) pursuing our PhD studies and on my side I carried on with Monetary Economics.”
“Upon our return in 1985 Prof was already well established in the Economics Department of the University of Zambia. As young lecturers he gave us lots of support and encouragement.”
He added, “Prof has since of course taught hundreds if not thousands of economics students over the years. He became an institution in the Economics Department and of course within the whole university.”
Dr Musokotwane charged that Prof. Sheshamani devoted most of his life to Zambia.
“He came to this country when he was still relatively youthful and he has aged here. Meanwhile, almost every economist in Zambia has passed through Prof Seshamani. What a commitment to academia and human capital development.”
“My sincere condolences to his widow who I have also known from the Dar as Salam days as well as to his daughter and son. Farewell Prof and Rest In Peace.”
He taught too. MHSRIP
Sad to learn that the Prof died, he tough me too
He taught me too. MHSRIEP
He taught my MOMA, when I was BENG 3
This is sad news to all academic products of Unza in diverse disciplines. Sincere condolences to Prof. Seshamani’s Family. MHSRIP.
Great man of blessed memory
It was with shock to learn of his death. More shocking still was to learn that when he was terribly sick in South Africa and the family asked UNZA to pay him some of his unpaid contractual obligations in terms of gratuities to help meet the high hospital costs, the institution declined not to help. Yet, we know the university deputy registrar administration recently had her leaved days commuted for her to receive treatment in India. This is the selfishness that has afflicted the once glorious UNZA. Rest in Peace Prof. We shall miss your wise counsel and commitment to work.
Too bad Prof. RIP
Meanwhile am watching the space to see comments from the messy lives on Lusaka Times.
Ba Mambala bali zii, quiet, actually confirming they never went near a real university..
Mwamene so munkhale zii che, always..
Gay Jay doen’t know this professor
The issue raised by zedoc about unza administration failing to assist the late prof’s family financially from his accrued unpaid dues needs an official response. Any takers UNZALARU?
I was once taught by this man during my 4th year. He was a brilliant man.