Source: ‘Govt pursues heritage‑driven nation building’ – herald
Thupeyo Muleya in ZEZANI, Beitbridge
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has reiterated Government’s commitment to nation‑building anchored on heritage‑based development, an approach that recognises the country is not a relic of the past, but a resource for the future.
He made the remarks while officiating at the Independence Flame lighting ceremony at Zezani Assembly Point in Beitbridge yesterday, kicking off the provincial roadshow ahead of the national celebrations set for Maphisa Growth Point in Matobo District next Saturday.
Lighting the flame symbolises freedom and unity, igniting a sense of national pride. The ceremony was witnessed by a large crowd of community members drawn from across the province.
“The flame we ignited today symbolises the enduring spirit of our liberation struggle, anchored and sustained through resilience and a forged unity of purpose,” said VP Chiwenga.
“It represents the price that we paid for our sovereignty, and the responsibility that now rests upon all of us to safeguard and consolidate that sovereignty. It connects our past, defines our present and highlights the pathway we share.
“It is critical to note and appreciate that the Government has adopted a deliberate and strategic approach to nation‑building anchored on heritage‑based development. This approach recognises that our history is not a relic of the past, but a resource for the future.”
He highlighted initiatives that leverage cultural heritage and natural resources for economic growth, promote community participation and ensure sustainable development.
The Vice President urged citizens to embrace unity and patriotism as they contribute to Zimbabwe’s resurgence.
He also emphasised that the policy to monumentalise Assembly Points across the country was a critical component of the heritage‑based development initiative.
“The upgrading of Dzapasi Assembly Point and the ongoing preparations at Zezani and other sites demonstrate the Government’s commitment to preserving our liberation heritage while leveraging it for socio‑economic transformation, including tourism development, local enterprise growth and youth engagement,” said VP Chiwenga.
“I encourage you to frame today’s event as a convergence point — where the liberation thesis meets the development agenda; where history informs policy; and where memory drives momentum.
“This flame should ignite productivity, innovation and unity of purpose, and inspire us to build a Zimbabwe that is modern, industrialised and globally competitive, while remaining firmly anchored in the values of our liberation struggle.”
VP Chiwenga said the lighting of the Independence Flame was a fundamental call to reflection and recommitment, reminding Zimbabweans that independence was not an event, but a process that requires continued nurturing, protection and advancement.
He said Matabeleland South occupies a pivotal position in the historical, political and socio‑economic architecture of the nation.
The Vice President stressed that the province gave birth to some of the late architects of the liberation struggle, including Father Zimbabwe, the late Vice President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, Enos Nkala, Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, George Silundika, Calistus Dingiswayo Ndlovu and General Lookout Masuku, among others.
“The province is also home to our current Vice President, Honourable Colonel (Rtd) Dr Kembo Campbell Dugishi Mohadi. This province was not only a cradle of leadership, but also a theatre of sacrifice.
“The battles fought at Ratanyana, Zezani and Manama Mission in the late 1970s are etched in the collective memory of our nation. These were not isolated encounters; they were decisive engagements in a broader struggle for justice, dignity and self‑determination,” said VP Chiwenga.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said that, besides monumentalising Assembly Points, Government was working with neighbouring countries to preserve liberation war heritage at shrines where most freedom fighters were based or perished.
He said significant progress had been made at shrines in Zambia and Mozambique.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Albert Nguluvhe, said the province holds a rich and proud liberation history.
He said the route that the Independence Flame will take — from Beitbridge through Gwanda, Insiza, Umzingwane, Bulilima and Mangwe before culminating in Matobo — reflects the depth of that history and the significant role played by communities during the struggle for independence.
“We are not merely lighting a flame; we are rekindling the enduring spirit of our liberation struggle — a spirit forged through immense sacrifice, unwavering courage, unity of purpose and an unyielding desire for freedom and self‑determination,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
Officially known as Juliet Assembly Point, the Zezani historic site played a crucial role during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, serving as a gathering point for ZIPRA and ZANLA forces under Commonwealth supervision.
It is the only assembly point in the province and one of 16 such centres countrywide, located at the former Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) campsite.
The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) developed the monument, which features an Independence Flame stand, flagpoles, a metal silhouette of a soldier, an interpretive house and an interpretive board.
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