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Elizabeth Sitotombe
Herald Correspondent
THE legacy of Zimbabwe’s iconic nationalist and liberation hero, Herbert Wiltshire Pfumaindini Chitepo, continues to be honoured and preserved through a series of initiatives aimed at ensuring his remarkable contributions to the nation’s independence remain alive in the hearts and minds of future generations.
The former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Art, Sports and Culture, Dr Thokozile Chitepo, daughter to the late ZANU founding chairman and national hero, recently showcased an archive of her parents’ personal belongings at the Herbert Chitepo Trust offices, highlighting the ongoing efforts to commemorate their lives and sacrifices.
The Chitepo Trust, holds some very dear items; over 1 500 books most of which are personally signed by him, ranging from literature, politics, philosophy, and religion to history. Chitepo was a culturalist, according to his daughter. The trust also holds all his notes, minutes, speeches, unfinished poetry and unfinished books.
Itsoriginal board of trustees included, among others, the late former President Robert Mugabe, the late former Army Commander General Solomon Mujuru, independent Zimbabwe’s first Finance and Economic Development, Minister Dr Bernard Chidzero, and former ZANU PF Secretary for Administration and Speaker Didymus Mutasa.
Initially, it was called the Herbert Chitepo Library Trust, because the Chitepos believed in literacy as an instrument of empowerment. In a significant move to honour the enduring legacy of the national hero, plans are underway to establish a museum and a community archive at their homestead in Bonda, Mutasa District, Manicaland Province.
This initiative, spearheaded by the local community, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe and the National Archives of Zimbabwe, aims to preserve the rich history and contributions of the Chitepo family to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
According to Dr Chitepo, thousands of patriotic Zimbabweans are working to preserve her father’s legacy.
“Some bring painted portraits of our father to the trust. The portraits are based on pictures downloaded from the internet which bring alive through their paintings.
The trust is also a repository of poetry from schoolchildren. Others just want to see his pictures. The love and respect he receive, even today, decades after his passing, is overwhelming,” she said.
“We are also working with the National Archives to establish a community archive and library, ensuring that Cde Chitepo’s writings, speeches and other materials are preserved for future generations.”
Dr Chitepo said the trust had since signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, as part of the plans to transform their homestead into a museum, which holds furniture, utensils, books and other objects of interest that tell a vivid story of the man who was a visionary.
More MoUs have been signed with the ministries of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.
Dr Chitepo expressed her family’s gratitude for the Government’s efforts, noting that the museum will house a wealth of personal items used by her parents during their time in Rhodesia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“As a family, we are pleased to begin this process and are working closely with the Chitepo Trust and the community to ensure the success of this initiative. These initiatives will not only honour our parents, but also serve as a reminder of their sacrifices and the values they stood for,” she said.
Many, among the artefacts, tell stories of courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to Zimbabwe’s freedom. Already, the Museum of African Liberation has a collection from his wife.
The Chitepo Museum, once completed, will be declared a national monument. The museum will also rehabilitate a classroom where Herbert Chitepo attended school. The room remains standing though it is now weather beaten.
The project comes 50 years after the tragic death of Cde Herbert Chitepo, Zimbabwe’s first black barrister and ZANU’s inaugural National Chairman. Declared a national hero, Chitepo’s remains were reburied at the National Heroes’ Acre in 1981 in Harare.
Today, numerous landmarks across the country bear his name.
These include the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology, the Great Zimbabwe University Law School, the Herbert Chitepo Barracks in Manicaland. Mutare’s former Main Street was renamed Herbert Chitepo Street, while Mutare General Hospital was renamed Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in honour of his wife.
Herbert Chitepo was a towering figure in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, and should never be forgotten. —The Patriot.
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