MWANAWEVU Culture 4ED National Coordinator Adonai Maphosa says national heritage sites must be preserved as they are vital for cultural identity, national unity, and historical continuity.
Speaking on the sidelines of the National Heroes Day commemorations, Maphosa said focus should be on safeguarding traditional values and upgrading liberation shrines.
“Heritage sites are those whose cultural value is recognised nationally and historically,” he said.
“These sites are linked to the principles of the revolution and to the struggle for liberation.”
Maphosa said all stories linked to heritage sites are tied to the liberation struggle.
“Our heritage sites include the Chinengundu Mashayamombe shrine, Sekuru Kaguvi, Sekuru Chaminuka and others, especially those from the First Chimurenga,” he said.
“We also have those who fought in the Second Chimurenga, and we must ensure that their graves are protected.”
He said Chief Chinengundu Mashayamombe’s Njatara shrine played a significant role in the First Chimurenga as a centre of resistance because of the strategic alliance between Chief Mashayamombe and Gumboreshumba Kaguvi.
“It was Sekuru Kaguvi who gave spiritual encouragement to Chiefs Mashayamombe, Chikwakwa, among others, to maintain resistance against colonialism,” Maphosa said.
Mwanawevhu Culture 4ED appealed to relevant authorities to safeguard the sites.
“We have heard reports that miners are tampering with heritage sites. This is uncalled for,” Maphosa said.
He urged Zimbabweans to visit the shrines during Heroes Day commemorations as part of keeping the country’s legacy alive.
Maphosa also expressed gratitude to Government for leading exhumation efforts to accord decent burials to freedom fighters.
“There is a need to provide proper reburials for freedom fighters who died during the liberation struggle, both in and outside the country,” he said.
“We appreciate state-led exhumations, the rehabilitation of mass graves in neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, and reburial ceremonies conducted at shrines and at the National Heroes Acre.”
Other liberation war shrines include Kamungoma Liberation War Shrine in Gutu, Matobo shrine, the 1979 Cross Jotsholo massacre site in Matabeleland North, Chimoio and Nyadzonya massacres in Mozambique, the 1979 Ratanyana massacre in Matobo District, Matabeleland South, Matumba 6 Shrine near Old Mutare, and the Chinhoyi Battle Shrine.
