Timeless legends and the art of remebering Zimbabwe

THE sun lifts over the Zimbabwe Bird today, and the nation will slow — if only for a moment — to mark 46 years of independence. It is a pause that reaches beyond speeches and ceremony, inviting Zimbabweans to look inward and reflect on the people, stories and sacrifices that have quietly shaped who we are.

That reflection feels especially fitting with the arrival of a new book by Joel Masuka, Tapfuma Machakaire and Kamangeni Phiri. Titled “Timeless Legends: Walking Down Memory Lane —Lest

We Forget,” the publication lands squarely at the heart of the independence milestone, offering a thoughtful pause to remember those whose lives and talents have helped define the Zimbabwean identity.

Published by Dzekanyi Publications on January 11, 2026, the book is billed as Zimbabwe’s first comprehensive and detailed documentation of individuals, teams and groups who have demonstrated unique proficiencies across the social spectrum. It is available in both paperback and online formats, ensuring its reach stretches beyond physical shelves.

The journey it takes the reader on spans decades. From dusty playing fields in the early 1960s to today’s fast-moving digital spaces, the book feels like an act of careful remembrance. It preserves moments that might otherwise slip away with time, turning memory into something tangible.

This collaboration is not accidental. Masuka, Machakaire and Phiri bring together years of journalistic discipline and an unmistakable love for Zimbabwe’s story.

Masuka’s earlier work, “Zimbabwe Musicians, Soccer Players And Arts Personalities Of All Time: ZimLegends — The Home Of Unparalleled Excellency,” published in 2023, laid the groundwork for what has now grown into something much larger and more ambitious.

In “Timeless Legends,” the authors do more than list achievements. They dig deeper, asking what really makes a legend. The answer, as the book suggests, lies in a “unique proficiency” — something rare that rises above personal success and speaks to a shared national pride.

The book profiles 78 legends, some still with us, others long gone, whose names have become stitched into Zimbabwe’s story. In sport, it acts as a vital record. Figures like Peter Ndlovu, the fearless “Flying Elephant,” are revisited, his English Premier League journey remembered as a door-opener for African footballers. Tatenda Taibu’s name surfaces with equal weight, recalling a time when Zimbabwean cricket leaned heavily on his resolve during years of uncertainty.

Attention is also given to administrators such as Gibson Homela, whose work behind the scenes helped shape football locally. These are reminders that not all legends stand in front of cheering crowds; some build quietly from the margins.

Beyond football and cricket, the book turns to golf’s so called “Golden Era” through Nick Price. His achievements carried Zimbabwe’s name onto the world’s most elite courses, showing that excellence from a young nation could compete comfortably on the global stage.

One of the most moving inclusions is the late liberation music icon Cde Chinx (Dickson Chingaira). His presence in the book feels especially poignant during the 46th independence celebrations.

It reinforces the idea that songs mattered just as much as weapons during the struggle. His music was the “sonic fuel” that carried hope and unity, and by documenting his story, the book ensures that his contribution is not left to fading memory.

The reach of Timeless Legends extends into traditional dance, music and the arts, acknowledging that Zimbabwe’s soul lives in rhythm as much as in record books. It remembers groups and bands that provided the soundtrack to the early years of independence, connecting past and present into a single, unbroken narrative.

What truly sets the book apart is its refusal to limit greatness to fame alone. It takes a wider view, recognising that legends are also found in humanitarian work, community leadership and business spaces where pressure is constant and rewards are often unseen.

By including philanthropists and community workers, the authors expand the meaning of legacy itself. In a nation only 46 years into its independence journey, this perspective feels necessary. It quietly argues that true excellence is measured not by applause, but by the lives improved along the way.

While the physical book is a worthy addition to any library, its vision stretches online. It connects directly to ZimLegends, a digital platform that has grown steadily over six years into a substantial archive.

In spirit, the book mirrors Sweden-based musician and cultural author Makandire Chezhire “ManLuckers” Chikutu’s work “Flashback Identity,” calling readers back to memory and meaning.

From earlier pioneers to present-day figures like Jah Prayzer, Winky D and Danai Gurira, “Timeless Legends: Walking Down Memory Lane — Lest We Forget” reads with warmth and purpose.

It is lively, reflective and deeply human — shaped in part by Phiri, a former Features and Supplements Editor at The Chronicle — and ultimately serves as a reminder that a nation remembers

itself through the lives it chooses not to forget. —Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu