Staff Reporter

Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana says memorial statue for Zimbabwe’s First Chimurenga war hero, Mbuya Nehanda which arrived yesterday in the capital for erection at the intersection of Samora Machel and Julius Nyerere way is going to attract both domestic and international tourists.

Posting on his Twitter handle the Permanent Secretary said Mbuya Nehanda’s statue which is going to be a City Centre Star attraction, will be unveiled by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Africa Day, 25 May 2021.

“Mbuya Nehanda’s statue is ready to go up onto the Centre of the City and right at the eye of the footbridge. This is going to be a City Centre Star Attraction, something to draw both international and domestic tourists and yet provide a functional way to cross busy roads,” he posted.

Various stakeholders including the tourism industry welcomed Government’s decision to erect the statue of Mbuya Nehanda saying the move will not only preserve the country’s history but also reposition Harare as a tourist hub.

Mbuya Nehanda was hanged on April 27, 1902, following her capture for leading the 1896/97 liberation war against white settlers. Together with Sekuru Kaguvi, she was sentenced to death and hanged by the British.

Statues erected across the country including those of David Livingstone, Father Zimbabwe Joshua Nkomo and the tomb of the unknown soldier have for years told stories of colonialism, struggle for independence and protecting the gains of independence.