Harare, Zimbabwe ( News of The South) The recent experience of travel vlogger Davud Akhundzada attempting to view the Mbuya Nehanda Statue from its surrounding bridge in Harare, only to be turned away by police and directed to seek clearance from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), highlights a persistent and frustrating issue for both local citizens and foreign visitors. Despite being erected as a symbol of liberation and a major potential tourist attraction, the monumental structure remains largely inaccessible to the public, nearly four years after its unveiling.

The Symbolism vs. The Seclusion

The statue commemorates Mbuya Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana (c. 1840-1898), the powerful anti-colonial spirit medium and heroine of the First Chimurenga (liberation struggle). She is an iconic figure whose memory represents Zimbabwe’s defiant resistance against colonial rule, a spirit that later fueled the Second Chimurenga leading to independence in 1980. The monument itself, a three-meter-tall bronze sculpture, is strategically situated on a revolving platform at the center of purpose-built pedestrian walkways over the busy intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way.

However, the intention to create a national celebration and tourism magnet has been undermined by the reality of restricted access. The “massive and expensively constructed scaffolding” that was supposed to serve as a footbridge is constantly guarded, and the public is prohibited from scaling it.

As the vlogger discovered, the entry points to the foot walks are often manned by armed police officers day and night, who routinely turn away anyone attempting to go up. This baffling restriction contradicts the stated purpose of the construction: to honor a national hero and stimulate tourism in the capital.

Explanations for the Restriction: Security or Scandal?

The official and unofficial explanations for the public being barred from the bridge have been vague, inconsistent, or outright controversial:

• Official Silence and Clearance Directives: Officials, including the ZTA, have been cagey, often referring questions elsewhere or, as in Akhundzada’s case, suggesting the need for special clearance. The very act of requiring clearance for a public monument underscores its restrictive nature.
• Preventing Vandalism and Misuse: One senior government official, speaking anonymously, reportedly suggested access was restricted to prevent “vandals”. Additionally, President Mnangagwa, during the unveiling, urged citizens to “respect the national monument,” warning against turning the place into a “playground for lovers and selfie addicts”. Some unofficial accounts even mention issues like public defecation.
• Political and Spiritual Controversy: There has been significant public debate and criticism surrounding the statue since its inception. This includes concerns over the massive, undisclosed expenditure at a time of severe economic and health crises, and the government’s perceived co-option of a national hero for partisan purposes. Furthermore, some local discussions suggest a spiritual dimension, viewing the statue’s location and guarding as evidence that the site is being treated as a sacred alter or shrine, making public access prohibited for cultural or political reasons.

Ultimately, the closure of the bridge remains an open question, one that creates an unpleasant tourist experience and leaves citizens feeling estranged from a monument meant to celebrate their own history.

A Call for ZTA to Revise Access

The restriction is arguably doing more to hinder tourism than to promote it, turning a potential major landmark into a “forlorn artefact” out of reach. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is in the best position to clarify the standing rules and, critically, to revise them.

If the bridge is fully constructed and safe, the ‘right thing to do’ for a self-proclaimed tourist attraction is to open it for public access, providing clear, consistent rules of conduct, and dedicated security guards to manage the flow, not bar it entirely. Restricting public movement on a structure designed to aid pedestrians and offer views of a national hero undermines the spirit of the monument and damages Zimbabwe’s image as a welcoming destination.

The video below shows the official unveiling of the Mbuya Nehanda statue. Mnangagwa Officially Unveiling Mbuya Nehanda Statue.