Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter
The rich history of the great Munhumutapa Empire symbolises Zimbabwe’s identity and capacity to govern itself, with the Second Republic mirroring the administration and organisational structures of the ancient Empire, President Mnangagwa has said.
Addressing thousands of people who thronged Mvurwi Business Centre yesterday for the inaugural Munhumutapa Day commemorations, which coincided with his 84th birthday celebrations, the President said the empire’s enduring legacy must inform how the country is run today.
He said the ancient kingdom — which once stretched from the Zimbabwean plateau to the Indian Ocean coast — was not merely a chapter in history books, but a living testament to African statecraft, self-determination and the inherent ability of Zimbabweans to govern themselves.
Munhumutapa Day was declared a public holiday last week.
President Mnangagwa said Government’s decision to declare September 15 as Munhumutapa Day and a public holiday was meant to honour this historical background and immortalise Zimbabwe’s rich history and cultural inheritance.
The President said the Munhumutapa Empire remained a symbol of a sophisticated pre-colonial people whose organisational systems, economic agility, architectural prowess and cultural depth demonstrated the capabilities of indigenous southern African societies, including Zimbabwe.
Yesterday’s celebrations were held under the theme, “Honouring the Past, Empowering the Present and Securing the Future”.
President Mnangagwa and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa engage at the festivities.
“The Munhumutapa Empire remains a great symbol of a sophisticated pre-colonial people, with unmatched organisational systems, astute economic agility, architectural prowess and cultural depth.
“Its history highlights who we are as the descendants of Munhumutapa and amplifies the traits that run in our national character and DNA.
“Further, it reminds us of the essential capacity we have as the indigenous southern African societies to govern ourselves.”
President Mnangagwa said the Munhumutapa Empire had broad commercial networks before colonial rule and harnessed its rich natural deposits of gold and copper for viable trade.
He said Zimbabwe’s quest for regional integration and intra-Africa trade could draw lessons from that rich past.
The President said the Munhumutapa Kingdom was founded on courage, innovation, hard work and self-determination, which the current Government can draw lessons from.
“The Empire commanded far-reaching commercial networks, long before the arrival of colonial rule and harnessed the rich natural deposits of gold and copper for viable trade.
“Hence, the quest for regional integration, intra-Africa trade, can today draw from that rich past.”
President Mnangagwa and Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi dance to Jah Prayzah’s “Kutonga Kwaro” yesterday.
Furthermore, the President said the Munhumutapa Empire was a monumental centre of trade, wealth and African statecraft, with culture and religion playing a critical role in the lives of its people.
He said many lessons must be drawn from the positives and challenges faced by the empire in governance, international relations, the economy and trade, as well as spiritually.
Such lessons, he said, should guide the country in the present times.
“It stood as a monumental centre of trade, wealth and African statecraft. Culture and religion were critically important to the people of this great country.
“Similarly, many lessons must be learnt from the rise and challenges faced by the Empire, with regard to governance, international relations, economy and trade as well as spiritually. These should guide us in our present times.”
In particular, the President challenged the youth to act in the national interest in defending the ruling party Zanu PF and the country.
“It is, therefore, in honour of this background, and for the immortalisation of our rich history and cultural inheritance that my Government resolved to declare 15th September as Munhumutapa Day and a public holiday.
“The responsibility of advancing this legacy now rests upon our shoulders. I, thus, challenge you, the youth of today, to always act in our national interest, defending the Party and our country.”
Added to that, President Mnangagwa said the youth must remain committed to the Party’s ideals and national development.
He said the young people had so far done well by embracing the national vision and promoting unity and peace.
He also assured young people that the Zanu PF-led Government would continue expanding empowerment programmes and opportunities for them.
“Rwendo rwedu rwunoda vakatsunga moyo, vanotevera Gwara remusangano uye vakazvipira.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda (left) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Mr Nick Mangwana share a lighter moment yesterday.
“So far, the youth, who are the vanguard of our Party, have done extremely well by embracing our national vision and promoting unity and peace. Well done,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the Munhumutapa Empire had a sound international relations architecture which attracted global traders, with Zimbabwe under the Second Republic remaining “a friend to all and enemy to none”.
Speaking on the imminent assumption of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) chairmanship by Zimbabwe next month and the country’s recent election for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2027/2028 period, President Mnangagwa said opportunities presented by the platforms must be pursued for the benefit of the economy.
He said Zimbabwe should seek new markets, investments, exchanges, innovative partnerships and entrepreneurship prospects.
President Mnangagwa said the country’s success, prosperity and improved quality of life would be the best way to honour its heroes.
From left: Businessmen Dr Delish Nguwaya, Wicknell Chivayo, Scott Sakupwanya, Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Paul Tungwarara at yesterday’s celebrations.
“In October, Zimbabwe assumes the COMESA 26 Chairmanship, while for the 2027/2028 period we take up a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
“New markets, investments, exchanges, innovative partnerships and entrepreneurship prospects presented by these platforms must be pursued for the benefit of our economy.
“Our success, prosperity and a higher quality of life for all is the best way we can honour those who have gone ahead of us. Be assured that under the Second Republic led by our Party, ZANU PF, the young people will always have support and backing of my Administration.”
Members of the apostolic sect were among thousands of delegates at the commemorations, yesterday.
President Mnangagwa thanked ZANU PF, young people and all Zimbabweans in the country and the Diaspora for their goodwill and continued confidence in the national Vision 2030 of building a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society.
He called for unity and the drawing of collective wisdom, skills and abilities to build Zimbabwe.
“To the Party, ZANU PF, and you, our young people, as well as all fellow Zimbabweans, here in the country and those in the Diaspora; I thank you for your goodwill and continued confidence in our shared national Vision to be a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society.
“Let us remain united, as one people, drawing from our collective wisdom, skills and abilities, to build our motherland, Zimbabwe.”
Thousands of people join a snaking queue to attend yesterday’s celebrations. – Pictures: Believe Nyakudjara.
Yesterday, Munhumutapa Day celebrations were attended by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Defence Minister and Zanu PF National Chairman Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, Cabinet ministers, senior Government officials and thousands of Zimbabweans drawn across the 10 provinces. Diplomats were also in attendance.
