Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka-Zimpapers Politics Hub
AS Zimbabwe approaches its 46th Independence Anniversary, the nation stands at a profound moment of reflection.
This year, the spotlight falls on Matabeleland South, the host province for the 2026 national celebrations.
While the infrastructure blitz in Maphisa underpinned by the critical rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Kezi-Maphisa, Gwanda-Maphisa, and Maphisa-Plumtree road networks signal a future of connectivity and development, the soul of this year’s festivities lies in the sacred soil of the province’s liberation shrines.
Throughout history, battle sites and liberation shrines have profoundly influenced the course of military and political development.
They are more than just geographical coordinates on a map; they are tangible reminders of conflict, sacrifice, and an unyielding resilience that continues to shape the nation’s cultural identity.
For Matabeleland South, these sites from the rugged terrain of Ratanyana to the hallowed halls of Manama and Zezani Missions, narrate a story of courage and self-determination that brought about the birth of a sovereign Zimbabwe.
The Blood of Ratanyana: A testament to Sacrifice
One cannot discuss the liberation heritage of Matabeleland South without bowing to the memory of Ratanyana in Matobo District.
This site serves as a haunting yet heroic reminder of the brutality of the colonial regime and the fearlessness of the ZPRA cadres.
On February 11, 1979, the silence of the Ratanyana hills was shattered by a fierce engagement that lasted from 9 am to 4 pm.
It was here that the ZPRA regional commander for the Southern Front 3 (SF3), Cde Mphini and 11 of his gallant troops were cornered by Rhodesian forces. SF3 that Cde Mphini commanded covered Mangwe, Matobo, Gwanda and Beitbridge districts.
The battle where only one guerilla broke through the enemy ring was not merely a military skirmish; it was a scene of unmatched grit where freedom fighters fought until their last breath against a technologically superior enemy.
However, the tragedy of Ratanyana is etched deeper by the civilian blood spilled that day.
In a desperate act of vengeance, Rhodesian forces brutally executed four minor children, a chilling reminder that the path to independence was paved with the lives of the innocent.
Today, Ratanyana stands as a pilgrimage site, reminding people that the “Second Republic’s” philosophy of leaving no one behind is rooted in the fact that no one was spared by the oppressor.
Manama Mission: The spark that ignited a Surge
Further south, the narrative shifts from the battlefield to the classroom. The 1977 incident at Manama Mission remains one of the most transformative events in the history of the Second Chimurenga.
What the colonial government described as an “abduction” was in reality a mass exodus of revolutionary consciousness.
When hundreds of students from the Evangelical Lutheran Church-owned mission crossed into Botswana to join ZPRA in Zambia, the Rhodesian security apparatus was left reeling.
This event was a seismic turning point. It proved that the yearning for freedom was not confined to the bush-hardened guerrilla but was a burning fire in the hearts of the youth.
The Manama recruitment surge provided ZPRA with a massive influx of educated, motivated cadres, fundamentally altering the military balance of the war.
It turned the mission into a symbol of defiance, proving that the struggle for Zimbabwe was a collective national duty that transcended age and social standing.
Shrines as the fabric of National Identity
These liberation war shrines hold immense historical, cultural, social and spiritual significance.
They are the very fabric of Zimbabwe’s identity. The memorialisation of sites like Zezani Mission and Ratanyana battleground is not just about looking backward; it is about anchoring our national pride in the truth of our origin.
From a cultural standpoint, these shrines are places of deep reverence.
They provide a space where the families of fallen heroes, some whose remains are yet to be fully accounted for, can pay homage.
For war veterans and survivors, these sites offer a sense of continuity, ensuring that the “why” of the struggle is never lost to the “how” of modern politics.
Tourism, education, and the Social Contract
There is a growing consensus that if these sites are well-packaged within the country’s rich history, they can become pillars of heritage tourism.
By preserving the trenches, the mission halls, and the battle-scarred landscapes, Zimbabwe can invite the world to witness the resilience of the African spirit.
This is not just about revenue; it is about the development of a national identity that refuses to be erased.
Moreover, these sites are crucial for educational purposes. In an era of digital misinformation, a trip to the Ratanyana battle site offers a more potent history lesson than any textbook.
It allows the younger generation to stand where their peers stood decades ago, feeling the weight of the sacrifice that bought the freedom they enjoy today.
The importance of these sites extends beyond historical documentation; they act as symbols of unity.
They remind every Zimbabwean that the struggle was a collective effort that transcended ethnic and regional divides.
Whether in the mountains of Manicaland or the plains of Matabeleland South, the objective was the same: a free, independent Zimbabwe.
A legacy for the Future
As the national Independence Torch makes its way to Matobo this April, it carries with it the light of those who fell at Ratanyana and the hope of those who marched out of Manama.
The Second Republic’s commitment to decentralising these celebrations ensures that the “periphery” becomes the centre, acknowledging that every district played its part in the liberation of the Republic.
Every Zimbabwean is a primary stakeholder in this destiny. By honouring these sites, we are not just dwelling on the trauma of the past but celebrating the triumph of the human spirit. The country is indeed built by its owners — Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo or, as they say in the host province, Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.
As the nation celebrates 46 years of freedom, people should remember that independence is a living monument, built on the foundations of courage laid down in the very sites the country honours today.
These shrines are not merely relics of a bygone era; they are the anchors of our national identity and the mirrors in which we see our collective resilience.
By preserving the stories of Ratanyana, Manama, and Zezani, the nation ensures that the “why” of sovereignty is never overshadowed by the “how” of the country’s modern progress.
As the independence torch flickers in the Matobo breeze this April, it serves as a reminder that while infrastructure may connect our towns, it is the sacred soil of liberation history that connects people’s souls.
