Four new national monuments declared

The Zimbabwean government has declared four new national monuments across the country.

National monuments depict a variety of cultural and natural phenomena that together embody the history of man in Zimbabwe and his interaction with the environment.

Several national monuments have been opened to support the tourism industry and generate much-needed foreign currency.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Nick Mangwana said the first monument is the Bulawayo Hanging Tree, located on the northern edge of the Central Business District (CBD) of Bulawayo.

The tree is situated between Cephas Cele (formerly Connaught) and Masotsha Ndlovu Avenues along Joshua Nkomo Street. National monuments are declared under the National Museums and Monuments Act.

Another site granted national monument status is St Mary’s Cathedral in Bulawayo, located at 108A Simon Muzenda Avenue (formerly 9th Avenue) on Lobengula Street.

The government also designated the Herbert Mine, situated approximately 2.5 km south of the Old Odzi-Mutare Road, on the foot of Chiremba Mountain in the Mutasa South district of Manicaland province.

Also designated was the Kamungoma monument on Farm 340 of Dewure Purchase Land in Gutu district, Masvingo province which commemorates the Kamungoma Massacre during the armed struggle leading to the country’s independence in 1980.

Mangwana said the, made through Statutory Instrument 125 of 2024, reflect the Zimbabwean government’s efforts to preserve the country’s cultural heritage and historical significance.

The newly designated national monuments will be protected and maintained for the benefit of present and future generations.

New Ziana