ZIMBABWEAN President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged African nations to take decisive steps in ensuring that the continent’s history is accurately documented and preserved, safeguarding it from distortions that have long served the interests of former colonial powers. Speaking on Sunday at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Liberation Square at the Museum of African Liberation in Harare, Mnangagwa emphasised the importance of institutionalising African narratives and perspectives on the continent’s decolonisation.
‘The history of our continent has been, and continues to be, deliberately distorted to suit the narrow interests of our former colonial masters,’ Mnangagwa stated during the ceremony, which was attended by leaders from several SADC member countries. He reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to dedicating resources toward the accurate representation of Africa’s liberation struggles.
The Museum of African Liberation, currently under construction on a 103-hectare site in Harare known as Liberation City, is set to be the centrepiece of this initiative. Liberation City will feature the Liberation Museum as its main attraction, alongside a five-star hotel, an animal park, and various national monuments, including a heritage village. Groundbreaking for the museum occurred in December 2020, with construction beginning in 2022 and expected to be completed within two years.
As Mnangagwa took over the SADC chairmanship at the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Harare, he underscored the responsibility of the current generation to ensure that Africa’s crucial historical moments are accurately recorded and protected.
‘This museum is an affirmation of the liberation struggles of the African continent,’ Mnangagwa remarked. ‘It should ultimately serve as the custodian and embodiment of the decolonization efforts of our region and the entire African continent, including the African Diaspora.’ He also highlighted that the museum will feature exhibitions showcasing the heroic struggles and victories of African people against colonialism.
Additionally, the museum will dedicate spaces to non-African countries like China and Russia, which supported Africa in its fight against colonial rule. The Zimbabwean government has also allocated a hectare of land to SADC member states for the construction of a monument commemorating the struggle against colonialism.
The SADC, an intergovernmental organization composed of 16 member states, is headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Zimbabwe assumed the rotating presidency of the organization in August 2024.
Mnangagwa’s call to action reflects a broader effort to reclaim and secure Africa’s historical narratives, ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate the true legacy of the continent’s fight for freedom and independence.
