Online Reporter
Mabasa Sasa
Herald Correspondent
THE record of African overland expeditions is one of courage, endurance, and visionary ambition. In this spirit, every Zimbabwean and, indeed every African, should extend heartfelt congratulations to Hugh Ndudzo on the completion of his overland journey across Africa — a commendable feat that contributes to the legacy of African explorers past, present and future.
It is within this spirit of recognising the continuum of past-present-future that it is important to place on record that Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi (born Errol Edgar Tapiwa Muzawazi) was the first African to complete an overland journey across Africa in 2010.
In that epic trans-continental journey, Amb Muzawazi covered over 21 000km as he traversed 24 countries in six months, entirely by road.
An interesting aspect worth noting here is that Amb Muzawazi changed his first name to Kwame in 2010 during the Ghana leg of his odyssey as an homage to that country’s founding father, Kwame Nkrumah. That historic expedition, launched when he was 26-years-old, was not only a test of personal endurance but also a profound statement on African unity, resilience, and possibility
Amb Muzawazi’s trek – in a Nissan Patrol 4×4 christened Africanus II in honour of one of the earliest Pan-Africanists, James Africanus Horton – actually started in Krakow, Poland and covered 4 000km through four European countries before the tour of Africa even started.
From the Moroccan coast, he crossed through 17 African countries in an arduous but rewarding and intellectually enriching journey that contributed immensely to not only Africans’ understanding of each other, but also to the world’s understanding of Africa and Africans.
On arrival in Zimbabwe, the Government, through the then Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Dr Stan Mudenge, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism, feted Amb Muzawazi at an event at Rainbow Towers Hotel, Harare. The celebration attracted more than 3 000 of his jubilant countrymen and women. Amb Muzawazi’s journey remains iconic not just for its scale, but for its message — using education, youth engagement, and Pan-Africanism as the core themes of his travels.
His ground-breaking expedition was recognised in multiple countries and continues to inspire a new generation of African trailblazers.We should celebrate all Africans who dare to dream beyond borders, and it is imperative that history honours such legacies. The legacy of Amb Muzawazi as the first African to complete such a monumental journey across the continent is well-documented and stands as a matter of public record.
A book on Ambassador Muzawazis trans-Africa expedition, including stunning visuals, is in the process of being published and will be available in both print and digital formats.
We salute all sons and daughters of the continent who break new ground, push boundaries and broaden the scope of possibilities. And as we chart our future, let us also preserve the truth of our past, acknowledging it as a compass pointing us in the right direction. It is inspiring and noteworthy that Zimbabwe has produced two remarkable adventurers in the persons of Amb Muzawazi and Ndudzo, whose quests are testament to the resilience and ambition of our great nation.Amb Muzawazi is the chief executive of the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK), which is building Liberation City and the Museum of African Liberation in Harare,.
