Munhumutapa Day draws 30 000 youths to Mvurwi

Joseph Madzimure, [email protected]

MORE than 30 000 youths from across Zimbabwe are expected to converge in Mvurwi, Mashonaland Central Province, on September 15 for the third Munhumutapa commemorations.

The annual event celebrates the nation’s drive towards attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030 and is anchored on President Mnangagwa’s vision of building the country “brick-upon-brick” using locally available resources.

Held on September 15 each year, the commemorations rotate among the country’s 10 provinces and coincide with President Mnangagwa’s birthday.

This year, the President turns 84.

Munhumutapa was the title bestowed on the ruler of the pre-colonial Mutapa Empire, whose territory largely covered present-day Zimbabwe.

The revered leader is credited with inspiring the construction of the historic Great Zimbabwe Monument, built from locally available granite stones assembled without mortar using indigenous engineering skills.

The title Munhumutapa, loosely translated as “the one who conquers”, symbolises visionary leadership, resilience and nation-building.

President Mnangagwa is honoured during the commemorations for embodying the Munhumutapa spirit through his emphasis on national development driven by local resources under the mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”.

Speaking after a Zanu-PF Youth League National Executive management meeting yesterday, the League’s Deputy Secretary, Cde John Paradza, said preparations for the commemorations were on course.

“It’s all systems go for the Munhumutapa Day commemorations that will be graced by President Mnangagwa,” he said.

The Youth League has allocated 260 buses to transport delegates from across the country to the venue.

Cde Paradza said enthusiasm among young people remained high owing to the developmental programmes being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa.

“We held a management meeting which was attended by all 10 provincial chairpersons. We are expecting well above 30 000 youths from across the country who are coming to celebrate this birthday mainly in recognition of the great work being championed by President Mnangagwa,” he said.

He said preparations were at an advanced stage, with most logistical arrangements already in place.

“In terms of preparedness, we are almost 90 percent complete, with all the logistics needed for the event already in place. This day, September 15, is also President Mnangagwa’s birthday, so we will also be celebrating his birthday,” said Cde Paradza.

He added that the President was building Zimbabwe brick-upon-brick on its journey towards Vision 2030 while leaving no one and no place behind.

Cde Paradza said the commemorations were aptly named after Munhumutapa because President Mnangagwa was applying a similar philosophy in driving the country’s transformation.

“President Mnangagwa’s philosophies of building Zimbabwe ‘brick upon brick’, and another one, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’, were inspired by Munhumutapa,” he said.

“The President has been repeatedly exhorting Zimbabweans to build their country using locally available resources, and so we have seen it fit to celebrate his works on a day known as Munhumutapa Day.”

He added that the President’s development footprint was evident across the country through a range of flagship projects aimed at accelerating progress towards Vision 2030.

These include major road rehabilitation projects, dam construction, innovation hubs at universities, village business units promoting rural industrialisation, and transformative initiatives in the mining, agriculture and tourism sectors.

Cde Paradza said beneficiaries of the Munhumutapa Housing Scheme, launched by President Mnangagwa in Masvingo three years ago, would receive title deeds during this year’s commemorations.

Last year’s commemorations were held in Zvishavane, Midlands Province.