By Features Editor
Harare, Zimbabwe (News of The South) – While President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent appreciation for the heritage of Belarus has been noted, a prominent voice from Harare, HRH Princess Eugene Majuru the princess of the city, has expressed disappointment at the apparent neglect of Harare’s own rich and profound history.
Speaking passionately, Princess Eugene, highlighted the stark contrast between the President’s acknowledgment of Belarusian historical sites and the seeming lack of recognition for Harare’s significant pre-colonial and post-colonial past. “It is great to see President Mnangagwa appreciate heritage and history in Belarus,” she stated, “However, as a Princess of Harare, someone who values our history deeply, I cannot hold back my comment on the fact that the history of Harare is never spoken about. It’s as if Harare is just some place without any history.”
The Princess emphasised the powerful legacy of her forefathers, particularly King Mbari, who ruled the Harare Kingdom. She lamented the apparent ignorance of this history among parliamentarians, business leaders, and even the city council. “Even parliamentarians and other business people in Harare hardly know the history of the city; the city council who run the city don’t even know the importance of the Heritage of Harare, no wonder why they hardly mention it,” she asserted.
Harare, known in pre-colonial times as a significant kingdom under rulers like King Mbari of the Mbari clan, boasts a history stretching back centuries. The area was inhabited by indigenous peoples long before the arrival of British colonial settlers. Historical accounts speak of a powerful African kingdom centered in the region that now encompasses Harare, Mount Hampden, Mazoe, and Concession.
The princess stressed that “Zimbabwe history can never be complete without mentioning Harare.” She pointed to the pivotal role the Harare Kingdom played during the First Chimurenga (the Second Matabele War), the initial major resistance against British colonial rule in the late 19th century. “That’s where the biggest Chimurenga battles took place, i.e., within the Harare Kingdom, as in King Mbari’s territorial area. The heroes of the First Chimurenga were also killed and beheaded in Harare.”
Indeed, historical records confirm that the area around Harare was a hotbed of resistance during the First Chimurenga (1896-1897). Key figures of the uprising, including spiritual leaders like Mukwati and others, operated within Chief Mbari’s territory. The resistance by the Mbari clan in areas like Mazoe (part of the broader Harare Kingdom) against the British South Africa Company was a significant aspect of this early anti-colonial struggle.
The princess passionately called for a greater appreciation and acknowledgment of Harare’s history by all Zimbabweans. She urged various stakeholders to ensure that the nation, including tourists, becomes aware of this vital heritage. “Zimbabweans need to appreciate and acknowledge the history of their capital city; various stakeholders need to ensure the nation knows that history, even the tourists who visit Zimbabwe should know the history.”
Her plea underscores the importance of recognising and preserving the diverse historical layers that make up Zimbabwe’s identity, ensuring that the contributions and legacies of all regions, including its capital city, are duly acknowledged and celebrated. The history of Harare, far from being insignificant, is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of Zimbabwe’s past and its journey to independence.
Comments
About Author
