Online Reporter
Phineas Chauke [email protected]
ZIMBABWE’S vast and incredibly diverse cultural and historical heritage is gradually emerging as a powerful catalyst for rural economic development, transforming previous hinterland communities into vibrant centres of opportunity.
For a long time, heritage was largely viewed through the narrow lens of preservation, an obligation to safeguard the past. Today, that perspective is shifting and heritage is now being recognised not only as a symbol of national identity, but as a strategic economic asset capable of unlocking inclusive growth, particularly in rural areas.
At the centre of this transformation is the deliberate effort by the Government through the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), whose legacy projects are demonstrating how heritage can positively impact livelihoods and uplift communities in both direct and indirect ways.
Through the National Liberation Heritage Management programme, the Government, through NMMZ, has moved to systematically identify, document and develop liberation heritage sites to ensure that they are preserved with dignity and presented with historical accuracy. Such sites include crossing points, training bases, battlefields, detention camps and assembly points and they are repositories of national memory that hold the lived experiences of our people during the struggle for independence.
At sites such as Pupu, Zezani and Ratanyana, heritage development has gone beyond constructing or upgrading monuments. These projects have catalysed the construction of critical infrastructure, including roads, clinics, potable water systems and electrification, fundamentally changing the socio-economic landscape of surrounding communities.
As the Government continues with liberation heritage legacy projects across the country’s provinces, rural communities are set to remain with tangible development, thereby positioning heritage as a pathway to competitive economies. Other heritage sites that have been developed by NMMZ include Sikombela and Connemara Prison in the Midlands Province, Butcher Site and Dzapasi, both in Manicaland while numerous others are at varying levels of completion.
The monuments and site museums being constructed will require caretakers, site custodians, artisans, security personnel, tour guides, as well as service providers and that presents employment and business opportunities for locals.
The clinics will also get some of their staff from the community and will provide health care services, which were previously obtained from distant facilities. Energy and water woes are greatly eased and productivity in community projects is immensely boosted. Importantly, this approach is also fostering community ownership and pride, ensuring that heritage preservation is not an external imposition but a shared national responsibility.
Tourism remains a key driver in this equation. Iconic sites such as Great Zimbabwe continue to attract both domestic and international visitors, generating revenue that supports local economies. However, the new thrust goes beyond traditional tourism, focusing on integrated development where heritage becomes the nucleus of broader economic activity.
Zimbabwe’s tourism offer is getting a steady expansion year after year as we direct tourist traffic off the beaten path into rural areas. As the tourists flock to these new attractions, an opportunity arises for community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs) to offer products and services that include traditional crafts, live traditional performances and traditional African cuisines, among others.
By unlocking heritage value chains, Zimbabwe transforms cultural and history into drivers of economic growth and industrial development, proving that heritage is not just preserved – it is productive. This model reflects a growing global trend where heritage is deliberately integrated into economic planning. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and China have successfully leveraged heritage to drive regional development, attract investment and create employment.
Zimbabwe is now charting its own path — one rooted in its unique liberation history and rich cultural traditions. The ripple effects of heritage-led development are already evident. Local communities are benefiting from employment opportunities and small businesses are emerging around heritage sites, supplying goods and services to visitors and institutions alike.
To fully unlock this potential, experts emphasise the need for increased investment, stronger public-private partnerships and enhanced infrastructure development. Heritage sites need to be supported with modern visitor facilities and improved accessibility to compete on the global stage. This calls for the commitment of other players to augment efforts by the Government. Equally critical is the inclusivity of heritage development across the country, ensuring that no community is left behind. The ongoing roll-out of legacy projects signals a clear commitment to this vision.
As the nation advances towards Vision 2030 goals, heritage stands out as a sector with immense potential. Properly harnessed, it can drive job creation, rural industrialisation and sustainable development, while preserving the nation’s rich cultural legacy.
It is becoming increasingly clear that heritage is not just about the past, it is a foundation upon which Zimbabwe can build a more inclusive and prosperous future.
ν Phineas Chauke is National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe Head of Marketing.
