Caleb Makwiranzou Biography | Education | Engineering Career | Political Career
This is the biography of Caleb Makwiranzou, a Zimbabwean engineer and politician affiliated with ZANU-PF. He has an extensive background in civil engineering and has held leadership positions in various professional organizations. In 2025, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development.
Education
Makwiranzou holds an M.Tech degree from IIT Delhi, India and an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe.
Engineering Career
Early Career
Makwiranzou began his career in 1973 as a Geotechnician Trainee at the Ministry of Transport and Communications before enrolling in university in 1978. In 1985, he rejoined the Ministry as a Road and Bridge Design Engineer.
Municipal and Private Sector Roles
- In 1987, he became a Geotechnical Engineer for the Municipality of Harare, overseeing road and building geotechnical projects.
- In 1988, he gained international experience with Brian Colqhoun and Partners in London, UK, working on the design and supervision of roads, bridges, and water reservoirs.
- Later that year, he co-founded CNM and Partners, a consultancy firm specializing in civil, structural, and building services engineering.
- In 2002, CNM and Partners merged with YBJ Consulting Engineers to form CNM-YBJ Consulting Engineers, where he served as Managing Director for 14 years.
Major Engineering Projects
Makwiranzou has contributed to significant infrastructure projects across Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique, and South Africa. Some of his key projects include:
- 300 km secondary road project in Zimbabwe, funded by the African Development Bank.
- Harare’s 3.5ML Modified Activated Sewage Treatment Plant.
- Infrastructure development for the All-Africa Games in Zimbabwe, including an aquatic complex, hockey stadium, multi-purpose hall, and running track.
- Vehicle scanning equipment and border post facilities for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
- 25,000 km Road Condition Survey for Zimbabwe’s state roads.
- Township infrastructure development for 3,000 housing units in Harare.
- Road classification and contribution to the Botswana Strategic Transport Masterplan.
- Road construction projects in Malawi, including the Nsanje-Bangula 50km road and the Zomba-Jali-Chitakale 120km road.
- Housing infrastructure development in Lilongwe, Malawi (Area 43 Suburb).
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Public and Professional Roles
Makwiranzou has held various leadership and board positions, including:
- Board Member, Midlands State University (Current)
- Board Member, Department of Roads Geotechnical Training School (Past)
- Board Member, Bindura University of Science and Education Technology (Past)
- Past President, Zimbabwe Association of Consulting Engineers
- Past President, Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers
He is also a member of several professional bodies:
- Fellow and Past President of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers
- Member and Past President of the Zimbabwe Association of Consulting Engineers
- Corporate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE, UK)
- Member of the Malawi Institution of Engineers
- Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers
Makwiranzou has contributed to construction projects across Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, and the UK over the past 28 years.
Political Career
In February 2025, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Makwiranzou as the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing oil and gas research and strategic mineral exploration in Zimbabwe.
