Sundaymail Editor
Malven Mugadzikwa
THE African Union’s 2025 theme, ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations’, serves as a poignant reminder of the continent’s ongoing quest for justice, equality, and restitution.
As Africa continues to grapple with the lingering effects of slavery, colonialism, and historical injustices, the need for reparations has become increasingly urgent.
In this context, Brigadier-General Morgan Mzilikazi’s new book, ‘Africa Awakening Volume IV: Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana’, offers a timely and thought-provoking exploration of Africa’s history, identity, and the need for reparations.
Brig. Gen Mzilikazi has already written a trilogy on the awakening of Africa. The first book, Africa ‘Awakening; The Genesis of African Power Zimbabwe on the Lead’, puts emphasis on uncovering African Identity from creation. The second book, ‘Africa Awakening: African Spirituality’, analyses the source of African spirituality evaluating it against other religions. The third book, ‘Africa Awakening: Reclaiming Africa’s Spirituality’, emphasizes that Africa was robbed of its divine spiritual powers.
In his new book, through an examination of the life and legacy of Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana, Brig. Gen Mzilikazi sheds light on the complex intersections of spirituality, culture, and justice, making a case for why reparations are essential to Africa’s healing, reconciliation, and rebirth.
“The historical and spiritual narrative outlined in my book is a compelling analysis of the complex history of Africa and Africa’s awakening, reflecting deeply on the impact of colonialism, slavery, and the ongoing need for reparations.
“My work connects the dehumanisation of African people through slavery and colonization to the present-day struggle for justice, emphasizing spiritual restoration and the recovery of lost African identity.
“Through a detailed examination of the life and legacy of Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana, a revered Zimbabwean spirit medium, I am weaving together themes of spirituality, identity, and the quest for justice,” said Brig. Gen Mzilikazi in an interview with The Sunday Mail.
He said Africa’s awakening is long overdue, and that the continent must take a proactive stance in reclaiming its heritage, identity, and resources.
Brig. Gen Mzilikazi postulates that reparations are not only a moral imperative but also a necessary step towards healing the wounds of the past and restoring Africa’s dignity.
“Why reparations? Because it is a source of building confidence to both the young and old generation.”
“We are now in the final phases and Africans must realise their identity through reparations of what they lost through slavery and colonialism.”
Brig. Gen Mzilikazi draws on a rich tapestry of historical and cultural references throughout the book, from the Bible to African oral traditions. The writer emphasizes that the reparations serve more than just a financial or material return, rather they are a path to spiritual restorations. He stresses that the return of these treasures will help restore the spirituality of African nations, giving them back what was unjustly taken and allowing for a full recovery of their cultural identity.
“The reparations call extends beyond money, it encompasses the return of stolen heritage, including African cultural artefacts held in European museums, the remains of heroes like the skulls, and the wealth extracted from Africa, particularly the gold that funded colonial exploitation.”
“We are a superior race, everyone else knows that Africa is the cradle of mankind but we have not taken ourselves seriously to say these resources are ours and taking care of them.”
Brig. Gen Mzilikazi affirms that Europe knows well the dehumanisation it inflicted on Africans
“Europe is well aware of the atrocities committed during the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism.
“As a continent with its deeply intertwined history with African exploitation, Europe cannot feign ignorance of how millions of Africans were brutally transported across the seas, packed into ships like sardines, subjected to unimaginable suffering, and stripped of their humanity for profit,” he said.
One of the central themes of the book is the role of spirituality in the African awakening. The author explores the belief that spirituality is a genealogical factor, an intrinsic part of African identity, one that is linked to the divine.
The author draws parallels to the Christian concept of genealogy and the Spirit.
He stresses that just as the genealogy of Jesus is a holy matter, so too is the genealogy of African leaders and spiritual figures like Nehanda Nyakasikana.
“It is worth noting that in reclaiming our identity and calling for reparations we should go as far as from the 11th to the 17th century when the Portuguese started their exploits in Africa. As such we have to recognize heroines like Queen Njinga of Angola for her unmatched bravery in the face of the Portuguese colonial onslaught in the 17th century.”
Brig. Gen Mzilikazi posits that Zimbabwe, and by extension Africa, is entering the final phase of its awakening. He draws attention to advancements in science, technology, and infrastructure that signal a renewed African strength, one that reconnects with its lost heritage.
He also ties this principle to the Zimbabwean maxim (Nyika Inovakwa nevene vayo), meaning “A nation is built by its own people,” which highlights the importance of self-reliance.
“In Zimbabwe we say Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo and this must translate to Africa inovakwa nevene vayo which means Africa is built by its own people, as we collectively call for the restoration of the African identity.”
A key to this awakening, according to the author, lies in national cohesion and discipline.
Brig. Gen Mzilikazi stresses that Africa’s future will depend on the unity of its people, across generations, and the ethical use of resources.
Online Reporter