Beyond Remembrance: King Mzilikazi Day, a bedrock of cultural revival

Gibson Mhaka, [email protected]

THE annual King Mzilikazi commemoration is evolving beyond a gathering to honour one of the most influential figures in Zimbabwe’s history.

It is increasingly emerging as an important cultural platform through which communities are reclaiming, preserving and passing on traditions to a new generation at a time when rapid social change, modernisation and global influences are reshaping how young people understand their heritage.

Thousands of people from across Zimbabwe and beyond gathered for this year’s two-day King Mzilikazi commemorations organised by the Mthwakazi kaMzilikazi Cultural Association (MMCA), transforming the event into a vibrant celebration of history, identity, language, food, music and traditional values.

The gathering demonstrated that while generations may be separated from the era of King Mzilikazi Khumalo kaMashobane, his legacy continues to serve as an important cultural reference point for communities seeking to preserve their identity and pass it on to future generations.

At the heart of this year’s commemorations was a deliberate effort to move beyond simply remembering the past.

The youth-focused programme exposed young people to traditional values, Ndebele cuisine, traditional music and dance, creating a practical platform for the transfer of cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.

This is perhaps the most significant aspect of King Mzilikazi Day.

Culture survives not through monuments, commemorative speeches or history books alone, but when it is lived, practised and taught.

The organisers have recognised this reality by placing young people at the centre of the programme.

At a time when cultural influences from around the world are only a smartphone click away, creating spaces where indigenous traditions can be experienced first-hand has become increasingly important.

The sight of young people taking part in traditional dances, learning about traditional cuisine and engaging with values handed down through generations provides hope that cultural heritage will remain a living part of society rather than becoming confined to museums and archives.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South Albert Nguluvhe, who was the guest of honour at Saturday’s commemoration, aptly captured this broader significance, saying culture should not be treated as something remembered only once a year.

“Culture is not a museum piece that we dust off once a year. Culture is how we raise our children. It is how we resolve conflict, how we treat our elders, how we farm, how we name and how we govern,” he said.

The statement is significant because it broadens the understanding of culture.

Too often, culture is reduced to traditional dances, attire or ceremonies performed during special occasions.

Yet, as Minister Nguluvhe pointed out, it encompasses much more. It includes values, language, social relations, knowledge systems and ways of life that shape communities.

This makes King Mzilikazi Day an important platform for cultural revival, creating opportunities for these elements to be brought into the public arena and celebrated collectively.

The participation of thousands of people, including attendees from outside Zimbabwe, further reflects the enduring interest in the history and cultural traditions associated with King Mzilikazi.

The traditional attire worn by participants was not merely ceremonial.

It served as a visible expression of identity, while traditional songs and dances transformed public spaces into living classrooms of history and culture.

Participants marched through some of Bulawayo’s most iconic landmarks, including Barbourfields Stadium, home of Highlanders Football Club, the Inxwala Grounds and the statue of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo.

The procession served as a powerful reminder of the connection between history, culture and place.

These landmarks form part of the city’s collective historical memory, and taking cultural celebrations into such public spaces helps ensure that heritage remains visible in everyday community life.

The significance of King Mzilikazi Day, however, extends beyond cultural preservation.

It also has the potential to contribute to economic development.

Culture can become a valuable economic resource when harnessed through tourism, creative industries, traditional crafts, cuisine, music and heritage-based enterprises.

Minister Nguluvhe urged communities to embrace this approach, arguing that culture should not be viewed only as an inheritance from the past but as an asset capable of creating opportunities for the future.

“Let our culture be a source of jobs, tourism and innovation, not something we leave behind,” he said.

This is where cultural revival intersects with the Government’s broader development agenda.

A vibrant cultural sector can create opportunities for young musicians, dancers, designers, artists, traditional food producers, tour operators and craftspeople.

Heritage events such as King Mzilikazi Day can therefore become important platforms for showcasing local talent, attracting visitors and strengthening community pride.

There is also a deeper social dimension.

King Mzilikazi’s legacy is closely associated with nation-building and the unification of different groups.

Minister Nguluvhe described him as “more than a warrior”, saying he was “a nation-builder, a unifier and a custodian of identity”.

That interpretation gives the commemoration relevance beyond historical remembrance.

In a society where questions of identity and belonging remain important, commemorating historical figures can help communities better understand their past while drawing lessons for the present.

The annual event can therefore serve as a platform for promoting unity, social cohesion and respect for cultural diversity.

Zimbabwe is home to a rich tapestry of cultures and languages. Preserving that diversity does not weaken national identity. Rather, it strengthens it by ensuring that communities participate in nation-building from a position of confidence in their own heritage.

This is also why the focus on young people remains so important.

Without deliberate efforts to transfer cultural knowledge, there is a risk that it could disappear as older generations pass on.

Minister Nguluvhe summed up the challenge succinctly:

“Our young people must know where they come from to know where they are going.”

That message deserves serious consideration.

Young people who understand the history, language, values and traditions of their communities are better placed to appreciate their role within the broader national story.

The challenge now is to ensure that the momentum generated by King Mzilikazi Day continues beyond the annual celebrations.

Cultural revival cannot be confined to a once-a-year event.

It must find expression in schools, families, communities, cultural institutions and local development programmes.

Traditional languages must continue to be spoken in homes and passed on to younger generations. Oral histories must be documented. Traditional knowledge must be preserved. Cultural sites must be protected and promoted. Artists and cultural practitioners must be supported.

Most importantly, young people must be given a meaningful role in shaping how culture is preserved and presented in a rapidly changing world.

The annual commemoration already provides a strong foundation for this work.

As Minister Nguluvhe observed: “Culture is how we raise our children.”

That means the true measure of King Mzilikazi Day should not simply be the number of people in attendance, the colourful traditional attire on display or the performances staged during the celebrations.

Its success should be assessed by what happens afterwards, whether young people learn their languages, families pass on traditions, cultural institutions preserve historical knowledge and communities transform heritage into opportunities for tourism, employment and innovation.

Ultimately, King Mzilikazi Day is becoming a bridge between generations.

It connects the present with the past while challenging communities to consider the future they wish to build.

Beyond remembrance, the commemoration represents a cultural revival that keeps history alive, strengthens identity, empowers young people and demonstrates that heritage can be both a source of pride and a catalyst for development.

Minister Nguluvhe challenged communities:

“As we honour King Mzilikazi today, let us not only remember what he built, but ask ourselves what we are building today.”

That is perhaps the most important question arising from the annual commemoration. If the legacy of King Mzilikazi is to remain meaningful, it must not simply be celebrated. It must be lived, preserved and passed on.