Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
TOMORROW, all roads lead to Zvishavane in the Midlands Province for the second edition of Munhumutapa Day.
The event, whose deep symbolic and political significance for Zimbabwe is becoming increasingly apparent, is a deliberate fusion of ancient history with modern politics.
It was created to honour President Mnangagwa for embodying the spirit of the great Munhumutapa rulers and to celebrate youth empowerment.
The holiday, a brainchild of the Zanu-PF Youth League, serves a dual purpose: commemorating the President’s birthday while also paying tribute to the legacy of the historic Munhumutapa Empire.
The core of the celebration is its aim to connect President Mnangagwa’s leadership and his philosophy of “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” (“A country is built by its owners”) with the legacy of the empire.
By doing so, the day elevates his nation-building efforts, positioning him as a modern-day leader in the mould of the great ancient leaders.
This clever use of historical symbolism is a powerful tool to unite the nation around the Vision 2030 agenda and underscore the collective effort required to achieve it.
The concept of Munhumutapa is being strategically linked to key pillars of the Second Republic’s economic agenda, namely economic growth, food self-sufficiency and international co-operation.
Just as Nyatsimba Mutota’s wise leadership and strategic trade relations propelled the Mutapa State to greatness, the Government’s current economic policies are poised to usher Zimbabwe into a new era of prosperity.
This reflects the Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo// Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo philosophy, which encourages Zimbabweans to take ownership of their own development.
In a powerful testament to this vision, the Second Republic has implemented transformative policies such as Command Agriculture, built numerous dams and promoted irrigation to ensure food security and economic stability.
Beyond national borders, the Munhumutapa legacy of strategic international relations is also a guiding principle.
The ancient empire engaged in extensive trade with Swahili and Portuguese merchants, demonstrating a clear understanding of the importance of global partnerships.
Today, the Second Republic’s Engagement and Re-engagement Policy is a modern application of this ancient wisdom, with the country actively seeking to attract foreign investment and build strong diplomatic ties, all while maintaining its sovereignty.
This proactive approach to international co-operation is designed to open up new markets and secure the necessary capital to achieve Vision 2030.
Zanu-PF Bulawayo Province Youth League Chairperson, Cde Freedom Murechu, said all youths should attend the celebrations, which are expected to draw over 30 000 people.
He said the day will be a turning point for them and provide an opportunity to plan for the future.
“This is the day when we celebrate the achievements of the Second Republic in youth empowerment,” Cde Murechu said.
“It’s where we take a walk through all the empowerment programmes that were initiated by His Excellency, what has been achieved so far, what needs to be looked into, what needs to be improved and what also needs to be done in terms of youth empowerment.”
He added that the concept of Munhumutapa Day was drawn from the great Munhumutapa and how he built his empire, and that President Mnangagwa’s development trajectory is similar to that of the ancient ruler.
“We believe that the way His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa is leading the Government or his development trajectory, is similar to that of the Munhumutapa, and hence we call him the second Munhumutapa.
“I believe that every youth who sets foot there, their life will never be the same again, because, like I said before, it’s the road to youth empowerment,” he said.
Cde Murechu underscored the youth’s role in achieving Vision 2030, which aims to create an upper-middle-income economy.
“We believe that the youth also have a role to play, and if they come there, we will share ideas and get wise words from His Excellency the President,” he said.
“It’s a vision that the President has put in place, but it cannot be achieved by him alone… it will be achieved by putting all hands on deck, with everyone playing their own role.”
Zanu-PF deputy secretary for Youth Affairs, Cde John Paradza said the youth will celebrate the achievements made by the President so far.
“Preparations for hosting Munhumutapa Day are at an advanced stage. The venue is Zvishavane in the Midlands province.
“The youth will celebrate the achievements made by the President so far.
President Mnangagwa has launched the Youth Empowerment Scheme by establishing a revolving fund for the youth, business units, farm mechanisation and the heifer scheme across all the country’s 10 provinces,” said Cde Paradza.
As part of the celebrations, the youth had been organising sporting events nationwide aimed at combating drug and substance abuse.
The Zimbabwe National Sports Promotion for Economic Development (ZIMSPORTS4ED) is facilitating these activities to fight drug and substance abuse among the youth, as a way to commemorate Munhumutapa Day.
The inaugural event was held in Masvingo and it set the tone for the remembering of the epic journey of the country’s historic founding fathers while inspiring a sense of pride, identity and unity among Zimbabweans.
It aims to rekindle the flame of the people’s collective history that continues to shape the nation’s present and future.
