Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZIMBABWE has, for some years now, embarked on a noble and powerful journey of reclaiming its identity by renaming public institutions and places that, for decades, carried colonial-era names, symbols of a painful past of dispossession and domination.
The recent renaming of Tomlinson Police Depot to Chimoio Camp Depot marked not only another historic milestone in this ongoing transformation, but also a bold reaffirmation of Zimbabwe’s proud liberation heritage.
President Mnangagwa, officiating at the ceremony last Friday, described the renaming as a deeply symbolic act of remembrance and nation-building.
“Colonialism saw the naming of places and institutions being used as a means of dispossession, both physically and psychologically,” President Mnangagwa said.
“As such, following the advent of the Second Republic, my Administration took a deliberate decision to accelerate the name changes of numerous strategic national institutions, buildings and streets across the country.”
The choice of the name Chimoio is not arbitrary. It carries profound emotional and historical significance. Chimoio, in Mozambique, was the site of a brutal attack by the Rhodesian security forces in 1977, where hundreds of Zimbabwean freedom fighters and refugees were massacred in cold blood. Today, the mass graves of those brave men and women lie as solemn reminders of a price paid for Zimbabwe’s independence.
Renaming the depot after this tragic but heroic site signifies that Zimbabwe is writing its own story, one not told from the coloniser’s perspective, but from the viewpoint of those who fought and died for self-determination.
“The renaming of this Depot to Chimoio Camp marks yet another milestone and step towards dismantling the remaining colonial ‘legacies’,” said the President.
“These name changes are an important tool for preserving our heritage.”
The renaming also coincided with the commissioning of the Chimoio Police Camp Flats, further embedding the legacy of Chimoio in everyday Zimbabwean life and inspiring the new generation of police officers to uphold the dignity and values of the struggle.
Naming is not merely symbolic; it is an act of cultural self-determination. Across history, nations emerging from colonialism have renamed streets, towns and institutions to reflect indigenous heroes, historical events and cultural landmarks. This act reaffirms sovereignty and helps instil a sense of pride and belonging among citizens.
For Zimbabwe, this effort is not new. In 2022, Morris Depot was renamed Mkushi Police Academy, honouring the Mkushi Camp in Zambia where many Zimbabwean women cadres trained during the liberation war. Similarly, Jameson Avenue became Samora Machel Avenue in the 1980s, paying homage to the Mozambican leader, who gave critical support to Zimbabwe’s liberation efforts. Other examples include the renaming of Enterprise Road to Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Road, among others.
These initiatives are not mere top-down Governmental directives; they require national consensus and engagement. President Mnangagwa urged citizens to support and actively participate in these heritage-preserving initiatives.
“It is critically important, therefore, that the naming of our institutions should reinforce who we are as Zimbabweans and Africans. The background of the names should be frequently explained and serve as a reminder of the past,” President Mnangagwa said.
Indeed, schools, communities and local authorities must ensure the new names are integrated into curricula and cultural narratives. Awareness campaigns and heritage education are essential to foster public buy-in and ensure these names are not just signposts but part of collective memory.
Renaming places with historical significance also creates opportunities for domestic and international tourism. Sites such as Chimoio, Mkushi and Nyadzonya, once just tragic battlegrounds, can become places of remembrance, attracting tourists, historians and liberation veterans. Liberation heritage trails are a fast-growing segment of cultural tourism, offering Zimbabwe a chance to diversify its tourism economy beyond Victoria Falls and Hwange.
This is already evident in countries like South Africa, which invested heavily in the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, drawing thousands of tourists annually. In Ghana, Cape Coast Castle, a former slave holding site, is now a global tourist destination. The United States capitalised on similar efforts, such as converting the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis into a centre of education and tourism.
These projects not only preserve memory but also generate revenue, create jobs and promote international solidarity. Zimbabwe can follow suit through initiatives like the African Museum of Liberation, currently under construction in Harare, which aims to showcase African struggles against colonialism and connect Pan-African historical narratives.
The renaming of institutions and the construction of historical museums are deeply rooted in the philosophy of patriotism and national identity building.
