Chinhoyi Battle site being developed into war memorial

Standrick Chagadama

THE Government has begun developing the site of the Battle of Chinhoyi into a liberation war memorial under a programme aimed at preserving the country’s rich liberation struggle heritage.

The initiative, which is being run by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, seeks to identify, develop and preserve liberation war sites in and outside the country.

Chibondo Memorial in Mt Darwin and Altena Farm in Centenary have been earmarked for development.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage spokesperson Mr Philemon Chiripanyanga said: “The development of liberation heritage sites is an ongoing programme.

“These include, inter alia, training and transit camps, battle and pungwe sites, restriction camps and protected villages.

“This year alone, the construction of Pupu Battlefield Memorial Site, Kamungoma War Memorial, Magamba/Butcher War Memorial and Dzapasi National Monument were completed.

“The development of the Chinhoyi Seven and Josiah Magama Tongogara monuments is at an advanced stage.”

The Battle of Chinhoyi took place on April 28, 1966 near Sinoia (present-day Chinhoyi).

A team of seven Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) guerrillas fearlessly fought against a contingent of Rhodesian forces.

All seven ZANLA fighters died.

The battle marked the commencement of the first phase of the Second Chimurenga.

The battle site is now the Mashonaland West Provincial Heroes Acre.

There is also a museum to commemorate the event.

Mr Chiripanyanga said many liberation heritage sites have been identified in and outside the country.

“Research and documentation of their values for the purpose of their nomination and development are in progress,” he added.

“Chibondo Monument in Mount Darwin, Altena Farm in Centenary and the Shamva and Beitbridge protected villages are currently under research for purposes of monumentalisation and development.”

Some liberation heritage sites, he said, have been identified in Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and Angola.

Speaking at the commissioning of Pupu Battlefield Memorial Site in Lupane in March, President Mnangagwa said: “Our forefathers planted revolutionary seeds which ignited the liberation struggle.

“Under the Second Republic, we shall never allow a misrepresentation of our heritage and look down upon the sacrifices made by our forefathers in fighting for the liberation of the country.”