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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged the British government to return the remains of Chimurenga war heroes for dignified interment.
Among those whose remains are sought are prominent figures from the First Chimurenga, including Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi, and other leaders of uprisings against colonial rule, such as Chief Makoni Chingaira, Chief Mapondera, and Chief Chinengundu Mashayamombe. The remains are believed to have been taken to Britain as war trophies and are currently used for research.
In 2022, both London’s Natural History Museum and Cambridge University expressed their willingness to cooperate with Zimbabwe in repatriating these human remains.
During his remarks at the funeral of the late hero Jaison William Chezhira Chakaipa Chirinda on Monday, Mnangagwa said the spirits of these late 19th-century anti-colonial heroes will not find peace until their remains are returned and properly buried. Said Mnangagwa:
<blockquote>
We remind the British Government and people that the spirits of our heroes will not rest until their remains are repatriated and interred in a dignified manner.
Going forward, we urge the British Government to return the remains of our people to Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Last week Mnangagwa demanded an apology from the British Government for a century of colonial rule that dispossessed indigenous people of their land and subjected them to various forms of abuse.
He also demanded reparations and restitution for the exploitation of Zimbabwe during the colonial period, which lasted from 1890 to 1980.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe's President, Mnangagwa, wants Britain to give back the remains of important Chimurenga heroes for proper burial. These heroes fought against colonial rule in the past. Some remains are at British museums for research. London's Natural History Museum and Cambridge University are willing to help return the remains. Mnangagwa says the heroes' spirits won't be at peace until they're buried in Zimbabwe. He also asked Britain to say sorry for the harm caused during the colonial period from 1890 to 1980 and give back what was taken.

Mnangagwa Calls For Return Of Chimurenga Heroes' Remains From Britain

Kambamura family from Warren Park, Harare has named its three children Jesus, Mbuya Nehanda and Mugabe.
Mbuya Nehanda an iconic revolutionary medium hanged for daring to challenge the settler regime in Rhodesia now Zimbabwe.
In Christianity Jesus is the son of God who redeemed the world from sin.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is a national hero and the founding leader of Zimbabwe.
The firstborn is Jesus (9), the second born Mbuya Nehanda (7) and lastly Mugabe (4). 
The father, Farai Kambamura said he was inspired by his life experience encountered in the ghetto. He told The Herald:
<blockquote>
When I got married my wife gave birth to our firstborn, I was so excited. The moment she gave birth, I just thought about Mai Maria (biblical Mary the mother of Jesus). So, I said God is with us, this is Jesus.
After Jesus, we were blessed with a daughter and I thought about Mbuya Nehanda. She fought a battle to the extent she was hanged and died for this country.
 Six years after my daughter was born, I was excited to see the statue of the iconic liberator Mbuya Nehanda there was a statue in the city centre and also put on local currency bank notes. She is so excited about it.
Mugabe my son is somebody who is just too intelligent. Before naming him, I could just see from the look in his eyes. He is a blue-eyed guy.
Our former President, I revere him so much. As we speak now, Mugabe, my son who is only four years old, dreams in English. The other day he said Apple in his sleep.
This guy is as intelligent as he is. I think he will move places. In the event of my demise, I think he will take care of his mother and siblings.
</blockquote>
Mr Kambamura said at first both the children and relatives were sceptical of the names with his mother saying he had lost his mind. He added:
<blockquote>
I just kept calling them whenever I was home.
Now as we speak, she even calls me ‘Baba Bona’. She is the number one fan and the mother also at first would say I am crazy but calls them by those names.
</blockquote>
 Kambamura said Mbuya Nehanda is always happy to see Mbuya Nehanda’s statue at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere in Harare and to receive a ZW$50 bank note which has Mbuya Nehanda’s face.
Mr Kambamura said Jesus serves mass in the church and is the one who carries the procession cross. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Harare Family Names Kids Jesus, Mbuya Nehanda And Mugabe

ZANU PF national secretary for finance Patrick Chinamasa has invoked the spirit of Mbuya Nehanda as Zimbabwe faces another possible onslaught from the United States of America.
Chinamasa also accused CCC leaders Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti of doing the United States’s bidding and vowed that they will never rule Zimbabwe, adding that the spirit of Mbuya Nehanda will not allow it.
In 2002, the United States passed the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act( ZIDERA), a law which imposed economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, allegedly to provide for a transition to democracy and to promote economic recovery.
Chinamasa <a href="https://twitter.com/Chinamasa_PA/status/1540531156516585472">said</a> on 29 April 2022 the U.S. Government, through its embassy in Harare, wrote to Zimbabwe, asking the southern African country “to take additional immediate action to forego military-technical cooperation with Russia in response to Russia’s massive, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine”.
He accused the United States of supporting the illegal Ian Smith Regime in Rhodesia and going as far as passing the Byrd Amendment to circumvent the UN sanctions against Rhodesia. Said Chinamasa:
<blockquote>
… the US communication of 29 April 2022 must be understood for what it is, a call to Zimbabwe to publicly disarm itself.
Zimbabwe should never allow foreign forces to dictate who its friends should be.
We thank Our President Cde ED Mnangagwa for his resoluteness in refusing emphatically to do the Bully’s bidding.
Thank you for making it clear that under no circumstances will quislings and CIA agents in the name of Mr Chamisa and Mr Biti ever rule this country come what may!
The revolutionary people of Zimbabwe will not allow it to happen. The spirit of Mbuya Nehanda will not allow it.
</blockquote>
Mbuya Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana was the spirit medium that was the inspiration behind the 1896-97 First Chimurenga war.
She was executed by the colonial authorities in 1898 in Salisbury.

Spirit Of Mbuya Nehanda Won't Allow Chamisa To Rule Zimbabwe, Says Chinamasa

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed social media reports claiming that there was an accident at the statue of Mbuya Nehanda in central Harare on Saturday night.
Social media platforms were yesterday awash with pictures of a metal structure that collapsed on vehicles purported to be that of the liberation icon.
In a statement last night, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the social media post is false.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the police is investigating the origins of the fake social media post so that the law can take its course. He said:
<blockquote>The ZRP dismisses a social media post alleging that there has been an accident at the Statue of Mbuya Nehanda Corner Julius Nyerere and Samora Machel.
This is false. The police are now conducting investigations so that the law can take its course on those who are peddling fake news. The fake media post is dismissed with the contempt it deserves.</blockquote>
Mbuya Nehanda’s statue was unveiled by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Africa Day, where he called the 19th-century Black anti-colonialist heroine “an inspiration to all Zimbabweans and all Africans.”
Nehanda — whose full name was Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana — was an influential spirit medium that rallied people to fight against land seizures by colonialists.
She was hanged in 1898 on charges of murder and for leading a rebellion against white occupation by Britain.
However, she became a symbol of resistance during the struggle that led to the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980 and the end of the white-minority ruled country of Rhodesia.
At the event, close to the place where Nehanda was executed, Mnangagwa vowed to press for the return of her skull from Britain.
It was taken there as a war trophy and is currently held in London’s Natural History Museum, along with the skulls of other “first chimurenga” — the name given to the 19th-century uprising against white settlers.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>, <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/zimbabwe-unveils-statue-of-icon-grandmother-nehanda/a-57663215">DW.com</a></h4>

Mbuya Nehanda Statue Accident Is Fake News - Police

Zimbabwean historian and former lecturer at the Great Zimbabwe University, Dr Takavafira Zhou has said many lies have been said about Mbuya Nehanda, a first Chimurenga heroine.
In this article, Pindula News presents Dr Zhou’s work that traces the “Historiography and Amplification of Nehanda Myth.”
Previously, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/mbuya-nehanda-isnt-a-national-hero-historian/">Zhou suggested that Mbuya Nehanda is not a national hero</a>. We present Zhou’s submission below.
<blockquote>It has never been my intention to engage in historical debate with people specialising in wishful thinking or arguments from positions of ignorance. But it is also a duty of historians worthy their professional credo to present objective history rather to remain silent when the nation is constantly fed on a diet of lies and starvation for political expediency. After my first article on Nehanda which I wrote in December 2020 that generated interests recently because of President Mnangagwa’s celebration of Nehanda statue, it is prudent to present an addendum to it in an attempt to provide answers to some questions raised from positions divorced from historical evidence. Contrary to some assumptions, it is not my intention to inject ethnicity in our history but to de-ethnicise our past history and celebrate our past history in its proper historical context. In order for the past to be more relevant, it must positively influence the present and future, and certainly not be used and abused for political expediency. As much as we cannot correct the past wrongs, we can certainly correct the present and future. Our liberation legacy must be completed by improving the livelihoods of Zimbabwean people, rather than legitimation of political parties and myths.
The first person to amplify Nehanda myth was a colonial historian Marshal Hole hired to explain why Shona and Ndebele were not greatful to be colonised so that they rose in 1896-97. Despite clear evidence of brutal colonial administration that forced the Shona and Ndebele into the Rising, Hole blamed fear of the Mlimo (God) and spirit mediums (mhondoro) as a driving force which in reality was a cassus belli (excuse) for colonial exploitation.
The second elevation was Prof T.O. Ranger, who in an attempt to foster unity between ZAPU and ZANU in the 1960s amplified a spontaneous and dramatic Shona-Ndebele rising in a way reminiscent of the night of the long knives in Germany spearheaded by religious leaders, Mukwati, Umulugulu, Nehanda and Kaguvi, and imagined attempts to resuscitate the Rozvi empire. Ranger’s book ‘Revolt in Southern Rhodesia’ was a source of inspiration to the Nationalist in Zimbabwe. It is surprising why he has not been declared a National hero given his role in the rise of African nationalism in Zimbabwe. The Rangerian mythological thesis was destroyed by Per Zachrison, Professors Beach and Cobbing by the mid-1970s, with Professor Gathseni-Ndlovu and myself adding weight to Beach and Cobbing in the 21st century. Prof Ranger had by 2002 accepted the historical defects of ‘Revolt in Southern Rhodesia’ but still justified its usefulness in trying to cement unity and challenging modern nationalist to emulate his invention of the unity of the First Chimurenga. Indeed the modern nationalist emulated the assumed unity of the First Chimurenga and saw their effort as a Second Chimurenga and therefore continuity and celebration of the First Chimurenga. But in reality, there was no simultaneous and spontaneous Rising in 1896-97, but various Zvimurenga that were not coordinated but localised, with various chiefs fighting alone and defeated alone, and several other Africans fighting on the side of whites. The feelings of locality were more strong than feelings of being black or nationality, with Nehanda localised to Mazoe and Kaguvi to Chishawasha areas. The only times Kaguvi left Chishawasha was on hunting expeditions or hibernating after abusing other people’s children for wives or abusing other people’s wives.
The third wave of elevation of Nehanda emanated from Nyandoro, Chikerema, Mutizwa, Shamuyarira and Samukange who were instrumental trade unionists-cum-politicians and believed in elevating traditional religion to play a role in order to win independence. Not surprisingly Nyandoro and Chikerema at one time enticed Joshua Nkomo by claiming that the spirit of Nehanda had adviced them on a modus operandi to win independence, and the trio travelled to Malawi and obtained a calabash from a traditional leader there believed then to be full of bees with the belief that if the calabash was smashed in central Harare town they would stung the whites as allegedly happened in Malawi and blacks would attain independence in Zimbabwe. This however proved fruitless. The period 1969-1973 witnessed attempts to decimate both ZANU-PF and ZAPU and elevate Zezuru hegemonic power epitomised by Florizi (driven by Shamuyarira, Chikerema and Nyandoro etc) whose intended leader as shown in a 1972 document was R.G. Mugabe. There were also concerted efforts to magnify religious roles of Nehanda, Kaguvi and Chaminuka by Mutizwa and Shamuyarira in Zanu until the 1973 biennial conference where Shamuyarira lost contest to Chitepo for chairmanship after which he dismissed the liberation fighters as terrorists and left the liberation war. It were Hebert Chitepo, Tongogara and JZ Moyo who deflated Zezuru attempts to decimate both ZANU and ZAPU, and with the formation of ZIPA in 1975 as a joint military operation to continue the war and resumption of war in 1976 any attempts to blame ZANU and ZAPU and legitimise Florizi collapsed.
The 4th and final elevation of Nehanda, Kaguvi, and Chaminuka was the rise of Mugabe in 1977 and the return of the likes of Shamuyarira to the liberation struggle. Although, the initial cooperation with Nyandoro and Chikerema had collapsed when Mugabe refused to take the offer of president of Florizi after he carefully read the current of events spearheaded by Dare reChimurenga for Zanu pf, and able leadership of JZ Moyo, Mangena and others who deflated the threat from ZAPU vice President Chikerema, the elevation of Nehanda, Kaguvi and Chaminuka intensified from 1977 as a process of a totalising Zezuru hegemonic power. After independence the totalising Zezuru hegemonic power intensified with the consummation of the three religious leaders to national level through naming of buildings. Surprisingly, not even a single building is named after Mashayamombe and Chingaira Makoni, Changamire Dombo, Nyamanda etc who by far played greater roles in fighting colonialists than Nehanda, who even denied ever sending agents to kill a Native Commissioner by the name of Pollard. So where exactly is her heroism derived from in the First Chimurenga other than the myth of a totalising Zezuru hegemonic power, and Marshal Hole’s distortion of the causes of the First Chimurenga? But certainly, Nehanda’s legendary influence in the Second Chimurenga played a unifying and mobilising role though it was artificially created. However, this influence was conspicuous by its absence in the first Chimurenga as demonstrated by historians such as Beach, Cobhing, Zachrison, Gathseni-Ndlovu and Zhou. This is a historical fact that must never be silenced and compromised for political expediency.
For the new dispensation to continue to major in myths and past history without addressing the current political, economic social ills is not only unfortunate but ill-conceived. The liberation legacy of the ruling party must be amplified by sustainable development, service delivery and improvement of the livelihoods of the generality of the populace in Zimbabwe.
I rest my historical case
Dr Takavafira Zhou</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/mbuya-nehanda-isnt-a-national-hero-historian/">‘Mbuya Nehanda Isn’t A National Hero’ -Historian</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/we-dont-have-nehandas-skull-the-uk/">We Don’t Have Nehanda’s Skull – The UK</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/uk-responds-to-zimbabwes-bid-to-repatriate-nehandas-skull/">UK Responds To Zimbabwe’s Bid To Repatriate Nehanda’s Skull</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/pictures-mbuya-nehanda-statue-to-be-unveiled-by-mnangagwa/">PICTURES: Mbuya Nehanda Statue To Be Unveiled By Mnangagwa</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/mnangagwa-goes-after-mbuya-nehandas-skull/">Mnangagwa Goes After Mbuya Nehanda’s Skull</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/mnangagwa-unveils-mbuya-nehanda-statue-pictures/">Mnangagwa Unveils Mbuya Nehanda Statue {Pictures}</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/watch-the-story-of-nehanda-official-trailer/">WATCH: The Story Of Nehanda Official Trailer</a></li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Tracing The Historiograpgy And Amplification Of Nehanda Myth - Historian

Zimbabwean historian, Dr Takavafira Zhou, has said <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mbuya_Nehanda">Mbuya Nehanda,</a> a first Chimurenga heroine, isn’t a national hero despite attempts by the state to portray her like one.
His remarks come after President Emmerson Mnangagwa has unveiled the statue of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mbuya_Nehanda">Mbuya Charwe, the spirit medium of Mbuya Nehanda</a> that was erected in Harare. Pindula News present Dr Zhou’s statement below.
<blockquote>MBUYA NEHANDA IS NOT A NATIONAL HERO
27 May 2021
By Dr. T. ZHOU
This epistle must be understood as an accurate historical narrative, and nothing more. The truth is that Nehanda was not a national figure but local figure as a spirit medium whose influence was restricted to Mazoe area. Her advantage was nearness to the locus of power and white misconception of 1896-97 risings. She has been wrongly elevated to national status because of a totalising Zezuru hegemonic power. To assume only Zezuru had National spirit mediums like Nehanda, Kaguvi and Chaminuka is a dangerous historical misnomer.
Pre-colonial Zimbabwe was more organised along clans with all clans having their own spirit mediums. Many areas had their own spirit mediums with Mazarire spirit medium in Masvingo, Muendamberi spirit medium in Chegutu, VaChipfedza spirit medium in Chivi and Mazvihwa, with the Lemba resorting to Ngoma Lungundu and Gona Magumbate that also had spirit mediums or special handlers. Various other areas had their own spirit mediums and never knew of a Nehanda and Kaguvi.
Historians (Prof Ranger, Prof Sabelo Gathseni, Prof Beach, Prof Cobbing, Dr Zhou etc) are agreed of the absence of priesthood in the First Chimurenga. If Nehanda is to be awarded heroine status it must never be for the First Chimurenga but her mythical influence in the Second Chimurenga. Nehanda even denied to have had sent people who killed a Native Commissioner, Pollard. She was merely an innocent woman wrongly killed on false assumption that religious leaders were crucial in 1896-97 Risings.
In fact, there was no Chimurenga in 1896-97 but Zvimurenga with individual chiefs entering the war alone, fighting alone and being defeated alone. Local politics was more important than feelings of nationality, with many local chiefs joining the war against fellow African chiefs. The concept of a sudden and simultaneous rising by Africans against whites instigated by spirit mediums in a manner reminiscent of the night of long knives in Germany, did not exist. There was no extraterritorial planning but localised and parochial planning.
Nehanda was not known beyond Mazoe. Kaguvi had hunting medicine and when people flocked to him to get the medicine and anti-locust pesticide he was erroneously considered as a centre of planning the rising. He was also a fugitive womaniser, running away from men whose wives he had abused.
It is surprising how our politics has continued to be divorced from academic reality for political expediency. It is also interesting to note how Mugabeism has continued beyond Mugabe’s reign. The Second Republic that initially adopted a Zimbabwe is open for business mantra had by 2020 failed to make this a reality. Worse still its attempt of an overdosage Karangification of Zimbabwe to dilute Mugabe’s 37 years of Zezurufication of Zimbabwe reached a brick wall. Deflated by failure to turn around the economy of Zimbabwe, the so-called new dispensation turned 360 degrees to Mugabeism and liberation struggle rhetoric with the current pre-occupation with Nehanda statue.
If we need the real heroes of the First Chimurenga one wonders why we are silent of Chief Makoni Chingaira who was the first victim of the First Chimurenga, executed by a firing squad. It is undisputable that his head is in the United Kingdom, and not that of Nehanda as erroneously claimed by some people. R.G. Mugabe would not have claimed the bottom of Great Zimbabwe birds and left the heads of his Zezuru kith and kins in UK. Another great fighter was Mashayamombe and his Gwindingwi that became the centre of the rising in Chegutu. Equally important is Nyamanda among the Ndebele who continued the war for some time in the Matopos area when others sued for peace. 
Even Lobengula qualifies for hero status given his resolve not to surrender in the 1893-94 war of dispossession. The greatest guerrilla fighter of the initial primary resistance was Mapondera who fought until 1902 using elusive and evasive guerrilla warfare and retreating into Mozambique. Put simply, Zimbabwe needs to move from political rhetoric by leaving a legacy of accurate history for future generations. We must celebrate our unity in diversity and desist from imposing a diet of historical falsehoods for political expediency.
University knowledge must be manufactured and processed and guide leaders against the trenches of folly. We can’t celebrate the centrality of priesthood in 1896-97 when it had very minimal influence. It is also dangerous to elevate ethnic spirit mediums to National status when history is pregnant with facts of their local status. As much as it is important to remember the dead, Zimbabwe would do better if leaders are preoccupied with the improvement of the livelihoods of the generality of the Zimbabwean people.
Mbuya was never a ZANU PF member because she died in 1898 and ZANU PF was formed in 1963
@Takavafira Zhou</blockquote>

<ol>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/28/uk-responds-to-zimbabwes-bid-to-repatriate-nehandas-skull/">UK Responds To Zimbabwe’s Bid To Repatriate Nehanda’s Skull</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/26/mudede-arrested-for-opposing-erection-of-mbuya-nehanda-statue-mawarire/">Mudede Arrested For Opposing Erection Of Mbuya Nehanda Statue – Mawarire</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/25/mnangagwa-goes-after-mbuya-nehandas-skull/">Mnangagwa Goes After Mbuya Nehanda’s Skull</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/25/mnangagwa-unveils-mbuya-nehanda-statue-pictures/">Mnangagwa Unveils Mbuya Nehanda Statue {Pictures}</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/16/mbuya-nehandas-relatives-warn-of-disasters-if-her-statue-is-erected/">Mbuya Nehanda’s Relatives Warn Of Disasters If Her Statue Is Erected</a></li>
</ol>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

'Mbuya Nehanda Isn't A National Hero' -Historian

President Emmerson Mnangagwa says his government shall continue pushing the British to repatriate the First Chimurenga icon, Mbuya Nehanda’s skull which was taken as a war trophy to a London museum over a century ago.
Mnangagwa announced this in Harare on Tuesday as he led the unveiling of the spirit medium’s statue in central Harare. He said:
<blockquote>We shall… continue to discuss to bring back her skull which was taken to the United Kingdom alongside others.</blockquote>
Several remains believed to be of First Chimurenga heroes and heroines shipped as war trophies to Europe are still to come back home despite the government’s protracted efforts during past years.
The event, which was made to coincide with the country’s Africa Day commemorations, was witnessed by hundreds of people, the majority being ZANU PF supporters.
The controversial Mbuya Nehanda statue, which gobbled hundreds of thousands of US dollars to erect, was constructed at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in central Harare.
Mbuya Nehanda is famous for organising and inspiring nationwide resistance to colonial rule during the First Chimurenga of 1890-7.
At the end of the rebellion in 1897, she was captured and found guilty, leading to her execution by hanging.
During her execution, Nehanda warned her captors that “my bones shall rise” and the words are believed to have inspired the country’s protracted 1960s to 70s Second Chimurenga which eventually delivered independence in 1980.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mnangagwa-to-go-after-nehandas-head/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Mnangagwa Goes After Mbuya Nehanda's Skull

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday unveiled the statue of liberation war icon Mbuya Nehanda.
The statue was erected at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in central Harare. See pictures below:

Mnangagwa Unveils Mbuya Nehanda Statue {Pictures}

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mbuya_Nehanda" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Mbuya Nehanda</a> statue will be unveiled today, 25 May to coincide with Africa Day commemorations. The statue is located at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in central Harare.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, whose ministry oversaw the construction of the statue said all was set for its unveiling.
While in Gokwe last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed that several sites have been earmarked to construct monuments for the country’s heroines and heroes. He said:
<blockquote>Projects such as establishing the African Liberation War Museum, upgrading our liberation battle sites, and detention and restriction camps must interest our young people.
These sites include Kamungoma in Masvingo Province, Pupu in Matabeleland North Province, and Sikombela in Gokwe District, among others.
So we are putting up a statue for Mbuya Nehanda and we are named pagans, no we will do it even if they criticise us. She was a revolutionary.
There are churches that criticise us for building Mbuya Nehanda’s statue but we have never heard them saying we should remove David Livingstone’s statue in Victoria Falls.
We also erected Cde (Joshua) Nkomo’s statue in Bulawayo because he is our hero, we have many heroes we should honour for the good of our history and generations to come.
If you go to the late Cecil John Rhodes’ grave there is a mint road leading to that grave but we have no road that leads us to where King Mzilikazi is interred.
This is what we are correcting as the Second Republic. We will construct this road so that it’s clear about who we are.</blockquote>
Mbuya Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana was the spirit medium that was the inspiration behind the 1896-97 First Chimurenga war.
She was based in the northern plateau of Mashonaland (specifically the Mazowe Valley) and was influential in resisting colonial encroachment and she used her religious authority to mobilise the masses against the Europeans.
Mbuya Nehanda was captured in December 1897 and was tried with Sekuru Kaguvi in March 1898. On 27 April 1898, they were hanged.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/all-set-for-mbuya-nehanda-statue-unveiling/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Mbuya Nehanda Statue To Be Unveiled On Africa Day

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has rejected the youthful-looking statue of liberation icon Mbuya Nehanda saying the proper face should be a lot more wrinkled and resemble that of a woman well past middle age.
This was revealed by presidential spokesperson George Charamba who told State media that Mnangagwa prefers a statue depicting an elderly, wrinkled Nehanda which most Zimbabweans can relate to. Said Charamba:
<blockquote>When we have that kind of artistic production there are key features which must ensure that onlookers immediately connect with the production and one key feature has to do with the physical appearance of the real-life figure you are talking about so the President immediately reacted he wanted to understand why artistically VaMutasa had decided to make Nehanda look a lot more youthful.
Then it emerged that the reality is that VaMutasa had in fact done something that approximated Nehanda in life but the authorities at the monuments and museums were of the different view they thought the artistic production must convey and communicate vigour, permanence, the youthfulness of the spirit which Nehanda incarnates or personifies so they then suggested that Nehanda be made a lot younger to suggest that buoyancy which they wanted to communicate to the onlooker.
The President didn’t agree and as it turns out that youthful face of Nehanda will be put away and will have a Nehanda who is closer to how the good lady looked in real life which means a lot more wrinkled well past middle-aged but of course showing the strength and stresses of captivity.</blockquote>
The Mbuya Nehanda statue, which is yet to be erected in central Harare, has become a source of ridicule with critics saying it resembles a “slay queen”.

ED Condemns 'Youthful' Mbuya Nehanda Statue, Says Face Should Be Changed

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is modern Zimbabwe’s version of the 19th century national liberation icon Mbuya Nehanda,  a senior government official has said.
Addressing a weekly ZANU PF press briefing in the capital Harare on Thursday, acting party spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa said in the past, colonial powers such as Britain beheaded revolutionaries, but they are now using social media attacks to “discredit icons like Mnangagwa”. He said:
<blockquote>Allow me to draw parallels between, on one hand, the public beheading of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kagivi, Chief Mashayamombe, Mutekedza Chiwashira and other anti-colonial resistance fighters.
On the other hand, the imposition of illegal sanctions by the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, white Commonwealth countries, Australia, Canada and New Zealand accompanied by the orchestrated social media onslaught targeting President Mnangagwa and his family.
It is to intimidate our leader with the intention to cow the general population into submission and subjugation.
The enemy goes after the scalp of our leader first and they hope that once he has fallen and is discredited the country’s resources will be ready for the picking and neo-colonial exploitation.</blockquote>
The ZANU PF-led government is constructing a statue of Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana, a spirit medium also known as Mbuya Nehanda at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in Harare.
President Mnangagwa recently claimed that Mbuya Nehanda’s statue will be erected at the exact spot where she drank water and rested in her lifetime.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/12/ed-our-own-mbuya-nehanda-chinamasa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

ED Is A Present-day Mbuya Nehanda - Chinamasa

Some Zimbabweans have taken to Twitter to scoff at the Mbuya Nehanda statue following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to Nyati Gallery near Snake Park, where the statue is being made by sculptor David Mutasa.
On Tuesday, President Mnangagwa said the construction of the statue is important as it shows future generations that the country has a rich history of liberation heroes. He tweeted:
<blockquote>Yesterday we celebrated our past heroes and our future champions. The construction of the monument in honour Mbuya Nehanda is nearing completion.
It is vital that we show to our children and grandchildren that Zimbabwe has a rich history of heroes that fought for our freedom.</blockquote>
We have gleaned some of the critical views expressed on Twitter by Zimbabweans about the erection of the monument.
<blockquote><a href="https://twitter.com/elnathanchiteve/status/1333676685280079872" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elnathan Chiteve</a>: That Mbuya Nehanda statue was eating a lot. She has gained a looooooottaaaa weight.
<a href="https://twitter.com/Wamagaisa/status/1333723095270645762" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Magaisa:</a> The sculptor might as well have added a Brazilian!
<a href="https://twitter.com/advocatemahere/status/1333739667146104840" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fadzayi Mahere:</a> If it’s genuinely about history, revamp the History curriculum in schools to ensure an unadulterated, uncorrupted &amp; apolitical version of History is taught to learners. This curriculum must be set by an independent panel. This statue is an unproductive waste of resources.
Instead of wasting money on a statue that won’t improve people’s lives, Mbuya Nehanda could’ve been better commemorated by increasing funding to Mbuya Nehanda Maternity. Why waste money like this in a nation where millions are food insecure &amp; maternal mortality remains a scourge?
<a href="https://twitter.com/daddyhope/status/1333730839516078080" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hopewell Chin’ono:</a> “The sculptor might as well have added a Brazilian (hair),” joked UK based Zimbabwean academic and lawyer, Alex Magaisa @Wamagaisa Millions of dollars have been sunk in the making of the Nehanda statue whilst women are dying giving birth at Mbuya Nehanda Hospital lacking basics.
<a href="https://twitter.com/zenzele/status/1333441274762973189" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zenzele:</a> Building statues when we have no Covid isolation centres.#Asakhe
<a href="https://twitter.com/ChikosChief/status/1333638695224815617" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chief Chikos:</a> You spend millions building a stage to put a statue then you come up with a fake statue of Mbuya Nehanda.
<a href="https://twitter.com/DrNkuSibanda/status/1333718270831112193" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nkululeko Sibanda:</a> I saw pictures of you visiting a statue of some Mbuya, someone said its Mbuya Mnangagwa (not sure if it’s true), I hope they don’t rig and put her up as a decoy Mbuya Nehanda.
<a href="https://twitter.com/monya4hire1/status/1333732965889822720" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kunta-Kinte:</a> This statue should be called Mbuya “Nehanda the Slay Queen”. Surely this statue does not resemble the mbuya nehanda we were told and in pictures. We are distorting history by erecting that one</blockquote>

'That's A Slay Queen... She Has Gained A Lot Of Weight', Zimbos Scoff At Mbuya Nehanda Statue

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that Zimbabweans should honour Mbuya Nehanda for leading the war of liberation during the First Chimurenga just as they recognise Jesus Christ for dying for mankind.
Speaking during a tour of Nyati Gallery near Snake Park, where the Mbuya Nehanda statue is being made by sculptor David Mutasa, President Mnangagwa scoffed at critics who consider the erection of the effigy an act of national idolatry. He said:
<blockquote>Those who say that also carry crosses around their necks and pictures symbolising Jesus Christ. Why wear that cross? If they were not part of us, we would have told them to go back to their countries of origin.
What is wrong with us recognising those who led us during the liberation war? We recognise Jesus Christ because he died for us and we are also recognising Mbuya Nehanda because she led us during the war.</blockquote>
The Mbuya Nehanda memorial statue is being erected at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in the capital, Harare.
The famous spirit medium was being hanged on April 27, 1902, by the white settler regime after she inspired the war of liberation in 1896/7 popularly know as the First Chimurenga/Umvukela.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/we-honour-nehandas-heroics-president/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

'Why Wear Jesus Christ's Cross & Fail To Honour Mbuya Nehanda?'

Zimbabwean journalist and political commentator Takura Zhangazha has spoken on the importance of the statue of First Chimurenga war heroine, Mbuya Nehanda. We present his blog in full below.
<blockquote>The Important Symbolism, Consciousness of the New Nehanda Statue.
The Zimbabwean government unexpectedly<a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/works-to-erect-mbuya-nehanda-statue-commence-in-harare/"> announced</a> that it is going to place a statue of liberation icon <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/history-in-africa/article/an-innocent-woman-unjustly-accused-charwe-medium-of-the-nehanda-mhondoro-spirit-and-the-189697-central-shona-rising-in-zimbabwe/466CA1C5269F9CAB07A83F64E45FBAF1">Mbuya Nehanda </a>in central Harare.  And that the work has already started on the same.  I was pleasantly surprised at this move by current government. Not only because it is important that we recognize more publicly the significance of the role that the spirit medium of Nehanda played in leading the First Chimurenga against colonialism but also how we should never seek to willfully forget our own national history.  Even in the most troubling of Covid 19 pandemic times and with the array of economic challenges that the country faces.
The public reaction to the announcement has however been muted.  Most likely because statues are probably not top of many Zimbabweans’ priority lists.  In opposition circles this was even more apparent with opposition leaders and activists <a href="https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-188483.html">referring</a> to the memorial statue as being the equivalent of ‘worshipping the dead’.  Obviously they are entitled to their opinion on the matter even if it said in the moment and probably only to oppose Zanu Pf’s policies.
A few activists have also brought in the religious angle around the statue.  In doing so they appear to be taunting the fervently religious to understand the importance of Nehanda in history and acknowledge the role of, in this particular case, of Christian religious institutions in not only Nehanda’s execution but also colonialism.  All juxtaposed with their knowledge that the Christian faith generally denounces traditional African religious practices such as the recognition of spirit mediums and ancestors as intercessors of life with Mwari/Umlimu.  As it relates to everyday lives of Zimbabweans.
Some friends and cdes I interact with have indicated their fear that such a statue may probably be an ‘easier’ option for the ruling establishment. Mainly because there are so many other female leaders and heroes of Zimbabwean liberation struggles that continue to go unrecognized.  Others still are fearful of what the late historian Terrence Ranger called ‘<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/4133833?seq=1">patriotic history’</a> in which only the ruling Zanu Pf party’s version and interpretation of history dominates official state narratives across the media, universities and the basic education curriculum.
What has not happened however is any outright protest at the idea of a Nehanda statue in central Harare.  A development that is indicative of the general legitimacy of the act of recognition. To the extent that the only emerging issue would be the artistic creativity of the statue and where it is placed.
It is however also important is to fully grasp the symbolism of this Nehanda statue.  As it relates to not only our struggles against settler colonialism via the first and second Chimurenga/Umvukela but more importantly as to how the leadership example set by Nehanda applies in contemporary Zimbabwean society.
And these leadership examples are, in my view, threefold.  The first being the fact that in leadership, as exemplified by Nehanda, we should strive to be organic and visionary.  Or to put it much more simply, to anticipate what is probably coming.  While preparing to mitigate or counter detrimental potential events with a firm belief in the values of your people.  And this is not about prophecy or supernatural powers.  It is about being able to understand events as they occur in your society and try as fa as is organically possible to always struggle for social and economic justice of the many, not the few.
Secondly, is the fact of how female leaders, who are hardly given due recognition for their role in our national liberation struggles, have historically been important in defining Zimbabwe.  Nehanda’s statue would essentially re-affirm that in a much more public way beyond either the name of a street or a hospital. While many adult Zimbabweans may not need the reminder based on what they were taught in high school history lessons, it would be imperative that subsequent young generations get reminded of this history outside of the exam class.  And that they also understand the equal roles that men and women can play in revolutionary, progressive leadership to better Zimbabwean society. All in order to emphasise not only a gender equality national consciousness but also to  keep progressive history in vogue even when contemplating the contemporary as it influences preferred futures.
Finally, the symbolism of Nehanda’s statue in central Harare, is one that would recognize history not only for what it means to the national consciousness but more importantly the necessity of never having to repeat it.  To know the struggles Nehanda led and also helped foster in the Second Chimurenga/Umvukela, is not to desire that Zimbabwe relives these same said struggles.  It is in order to recognize the values, the pain and sacrifices made in order to get Zimbabwe to its freedom. But not in order that we go back to those struggles. Instead Nehanda’s legacy tells us to hold fast to the values of liberation and move the people forward in fulfillment of the aspirations that led her and others to fight colonial and all other repressions in Zimbabwe.
So while I will not be among the first to be photographed at the Nehanda statue when completed, I understand its national importance and symbolism.
Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity (takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com)</blockquote>

Zhangazha Speaks On Mbuya Nehanda's Monument Being Erected In Harare

Former MDC-T vice president Obert Gutu has condemned MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa over his remarks concerning the erection of a memorial statue for First Chimurenga heroine Mbuya Nehanda.
Gutu said it is disturbing that Chamisa should attack the government’s move to erect the statue saying statues of heroes are found worldwide even in countries such as Russia and the United States of America (USA). Said Gutu:
<blockquote>Such sentiments which Chamisa made have no place in our African culture, even in all progressive countries internationally, leaders there respect their founding heroes and statue of heroes are worldwide be it in Russia, USA, among others.
So it is shocking and disrespectful of Chamisa uttering that, we know in our Zimbabwean culture that is the norm that “Wafa Anaka” so it is disturbing to have Chamisa misfiring like that, this should be condemned with the seriousness it deserves.</blockquote>
Speaking during an online rally on Sunday afternoon, Chamisa called upon the government to prioritise the construction of infrastructure instead of effigies, which according to reports, will take over a month to erect.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/chamisa-slammed-for-his-utterances-on-mbuya-nehanda-statue/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZBC News</a></h4>

Khupe's Former Deputy Slams Chamisa's Remarks Over Mbuya Nehanda Effigy

The government is erecting a memorial statue for Zimbabwe’s First Chimurenga war hero, Mbuya Nehanda, at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in Harare.
Work on the statue started on June 25 and is projected to have been completed by August 28.
City of Harare has since announced the temporary closure of portions of Samora Machel between Leopold Takawira Street and First Street and Julius Nyerere Way between Sam Nunjoma Street and Kwame Nkurumah Avenue.
According to The Herald, the erection of the monument was a Government project, but the National Museums and Monuments is at the forefront. The publication quoted its source as having said:
<blockquote>Works currently underway at Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way Intersection is meant for the construction of a memorial statue for Mbuya Nehanda.
The project is being run by the Office of the President and Cabinet, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ministry, department of Public Works, National Archives of Zimbabwe and National Museums and Monuments.</blockquote>
Mbuya Nehanda was hanged on April 27, 1902, following her capture for leading the 1896/97 liberation war against white settlers.
Together with another leader of the rebellion, Sekuru Kaguvi, she was sentenced to death and hanged by the British.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/work-on-mbuya-nehanda-memorial-statue-begins/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Erection Of Mbuya Nehanda Statue Commences

A <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Chitungwiza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chitungwiza</a> woman, Asinuta Dendere, was arrested on Wednesday after she attempted to enter Munhumutapa Building (which houses the Office of the President and Cabinet) in Central Harare, demanding to meet President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a>.
Dendere claimed to be possessed by the spirit of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mbuya_Nehanda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mbuya Nehanda</a> and she said the spirit will not stop until had delivered the message to President Mnangagwa. She said:
<blockquote>The spirits keep tormenting me they are not happy with how the government is running the country’s affairs.
I am not a dog and the citizens of Zimbabweans are not dogs. Not body should treat us like dogs.</blockquote>
Dendere appeared before Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa on Thursday, charged with unlawful entry and was remanded to March 4 and placed in the custody of her daughter-in-law.
Mugwagwa ordered that Dendere be examined by a psychiatrist.
<h4>More: <a href="https://zimmorningpost.com/women-arrested-after-storming-eds-office-demanding-to-deliver-message-from-the-spirits/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zim Morning Post</a></h4>

'Mbuya Nehanda' Storms President Mnangagwa's Office

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthwakazi_Republic_Party" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP)</a> president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mqondisi_Moyo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mqondisi Moyo</a> has written a letter to Bulawayo City Council, giving the local authority a week to remove Mbuya Nehanda’s statue mounted at Mzilikazi Art Craft centre in Mzilikazi suburb in Bulawayo.
In his letter, Moyo wrote that Mbuya Nehanda’s statue should be replaced with that of a Ndebele hero or heroine. He wrote:
<blockquote>The presence of Mbuya Nehanda statue is of little significance, not only to the city but to Mzilikazi Art Centre situated in Mzilikazi suburb and named after <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mzilikazi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">King Mzilikazi</a>.
There are quite a number of Ndebele significant people whose statues can be erected there. The likes of King Lobengula, Queen Lozikeyi and many more Ndebele heroes and heroines.</blockquote>
Mbuya Nehanda is a First Chimurenga heroine who was captured and hanged by the white settlers for her leading role in starting and directing the war.
Meanwhile, MRP is a secessionist movement whose objective is to create a breakaway state from Zimbabwe constituting the southern provinces of the country.
<h3>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mthwakazi-threat-to-take-down-nehanda-statue-from-iconic-byo-arts-centre/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h3>

Mthwakazi Offended By Mbuya Nehanda Statue

In an interview with The Herald, National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) executive director Dr Godfrey Mahachi confirmed that the Natural History Museum of London has submitted a report in relation the identity of First Chimurenga participants.
This comes after Zimbabwe requested confirmation of remains of Mbuya Chahwe, the medium of the Nehanda spirit, Sekuru Gumboreshumba the medium of Kaguvi, Chingaira Makoni, Chinengundu Mashayamombe, Mapondera, Mashonganyika and Chitekedza Chiwashira among others. Mahachi said that Britain conducted an archival research to establish if they could confirm that the skulls were of First Chimurenga participants.
He also revealed that the NMMZ had presented the findings of the report to the Ministry of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage for Government to make a decision on the way forward. When asked by The Herald, permanent secretary in the Ministry Dr Thokozile Chitepo, could not disclose whether Britain had succeeded in identifying the human skulls it had in its museums saying her Ministry needed to brief the Executive first.
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/britain-submits-human-trophies-identities-report/">Herald</a>

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