Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere in GOA, India
GOVERNMENT has started taking corrective measures on a historical misconception that casts aspersions on Africa as a dark continent which never knew civilisation until after colonisation and one that is unable to chart modern economic development without the West.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga touched down in the state of Goa, in India on Wednesday leading a Zimbabwean delegation seeking to not only trace and prove the history of civilisation before colonisation, but to document the role played by modern-day Zimbabwe in spreading civilisation and Christianity internationally.
So important is the historical perspective that it lays a foundation for a historically self-determining people who have long impacted the world and who are now ready to champion economic development as espoused by President Mnangagwa’s mantra of “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.”
At the centre of the visit is a quest to unravel the role played by heirs to the Mutapa Emperor’s state who left the state (modern-day Zimbabwe) mostly as trade ambassadors and later became priests in the Catholic Church.
To ensure a thorough job, the VP’s delegation is made up of officials from the National Museums and Monuments, National Archives of Zimbabwe, historians from the country’s institutions of higher learning and senior Catholic priests.
Speaking to the media on arrival, VP Chiwenga said there has been a well-calculated and deliberate attempt to downplay all the good deeds from modern-day Zimbabwe by the West.
VP Chiwenga said it was now incumbent upon the academia to lay this bare and show the present generation that Zimbabwe has long been a trailblazer and must now reclaim that same path-finding spirit for the economic and social benefit of its people.
“We are back in Goa for the third time, now with a larger delegation. Our purpose is to explore Zimbabwe’s historical contributions to the spread of Christianity and civilisation globally, dating back to the 15th century,” said VP Chiwenga.
“During our visit to the Vatican, we requested recognition of Zimbabwe’s role in global history. Essential records exist here in Goa, Maputo, Beira and Lisbon.
“Once accomplished, it will highlight Zimbabwe’s role on the world stage, including our nationals contributing to Christianity in places like Brazil and Macau, now the People’s Republic of China. It’s time for the importance of Zimbabwe to be clearly recognised.
“The first was Father Diogo, son of Emperor Gutsarusere, who came in the 15th century, followed by Father Michael, named Miguel by the Portuguese, son of Emperor Kaparadze, and later, Father Constantino and Father João, sons of Emperor Mpande.”
VP Chiwenga said there is a possibility of many members of the royal family and the Mutapa Kingdom who may have made contributions whose histories remain unexplored.
He talked of the importance of acknowledging their contributions.
“These Princes played pivotal roles in spreading both Christianity and early civilisation across multiple continents, including Africa, India, China and South America,” said VP Chiwenga.
“Although colonisation in the 19th century obscured our contributions, they must be recognised. We have engaged with the Catholic Church and various universities, including MSU (Midlands State University) and Arupe University, to reinterpret the literature from Goa in an accessible language.
“Our National Museums and Monuments, National Archives and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage are involved in this effort to document our emperors and their legacies. We hope these institutions will collaborate to accurately present our history,” said VP Chiwenga.
