adminThubelihle Mabhena Chronicle Reporter
THE Naletale national monument, which has been crumbling over the years, has been restored at a cost of $64,000. The monument, which is located in Insiza District, was restored thanks to funds provided by the American Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation.
Naletale flourished around 1680AD under the Torwa tribe which was an administrative centre for the surrounding population before it was later absorbed by the Rozvi State around 1693, said Clapperton Gutu, the project manager.
The heritage site is over 300 years old and 70 percent of the structures had collapsed before the restoration.
“We applied for financial support from the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation based in the United States of America and in June 2013 the application was granted. We were given $64,000 and the Naletale monument restoration started in January 2014 and took a year to complete,” said Gutu.
“A stretch of 16,3 metres, starting 4, 2 metres from the main entrance in a clockwise direction was restored. The structures had collapsed so we managed to build them making sure the original pattern is maintained.”
He said the 2014 restoration programme covered a very significant section of the outer walls as well as the main entrance walls.
US ambassador to Zimbabwe, David Bruce Wharton said Naletale’s successful restoration was aimed at attracting tourists, which will improve Zimbabwe’s economy.
“Zimbabwe has a pre-colonial history that’s very rich and we want the world to know that. This development will improve the tourism industry which will generate substantial economic benefits to Zimbabwe,” said Wharton.
“We all need to know where we came from in order to know who we are. The monument is an important part of the country’s heritage and Zimbabweans ought to be proud.”
The deputy chairperson of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe board of trustees, Professor Obert Maravanyika said the restoration of the Naletale monument came at the right time as the education curriculum was being reviewed to include heritage studies.
“We appreciate the generous gesture that made the restoration a success. It comes at a time when the school’s curriculum is being reviewed and this will benefit our children in learning the pre-colonial history,” said Prof Maravanyika.
He said more importantly, the development encourages a link between schools and the tourism industry.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu