Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa underscored the imperative need for African nations to ensure that the continent’s history is meticulously documented and safeguarded against distortions. Addressing dignitaries during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Liberation Square at the Museum of African Liberation in Harare, President Mnangagwa affirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to the institutionalisation of African narratives and perspectives on decolonisation.
In his remarks, President Mnangagwa highlighted the ongoing misrepresentation of African history, noting that such distortions are often perpetuated to serve the narrow interests of former colonial powers. The President emphasised that it is the duty of the current generation to accurately chronicle and preserve the pivotal moments in Africa’s history. “We are aware that the history of our continent has been and continues to be deliberately distorted to suit the parochial interests of our former erstwhile colonial masters,” Mnangagwa stated.
The ceremony, which took place in the national capital and was attended by leaders from SADC member states, marks a significant milestone in the development of the Museum of African Liberation. The museum, currently under construction on a sprawling 103-hectare site known as Liberation City, is envisaged as a comprehensive repository of the continent’s liberation struggles. The museum will feature exhibitions that celebrate the heroic resistance of African nations against colonial rule and commemorate the victories achieved in the fight for independence.
Liberation City, which will be developed in phases, is set to become a landmark of historical and cultural significance. In addition to the Liberation Museum, the site will include a five-star hotel, an animal park, and a heritage village, amongst other national monuments. The groundbreaking of the Museum took place in December 2020, with construction commencing in 2022. The project is anticipated to reach completion within two years.
President Mnangagwa, who assumed the chairmanship of SADC at the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Harare on Saturday, asserted that the Museum of African Liberation would stand as an enduring testament to the continent’s decolonisation efforts. “This museum is an affirmation of the liberation struggles of the African continent. It should ultimately be the custodian and embodiment of all that which characterised respective countries, the decolonisation of our region and the entire African continent, including the African Diaspora,” he declared.
Furthermore, the museum will also dedicate spaces to honour non-African countries, such as China and Russia, that contributed to Africa’s liberation movements. In a gesture symbolising collective memory and solidarity, the Zimbabwean government has allocated a hectare of land to SADC member states for the construction of monuments commemorating the anti-colonial struggle.
SADC, an intergovernmental organisation comprising 16 member states, has its headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana. With Zimbabwe at the helm of the rotating presidency as of August 2024, the region is poised to play a crucial role in ensuring that the narrative of Africa’s liberation is preserved and propagated with fidelity.
