By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru , Princess of Harare
Lomdon, England (News of The South) – The narrative that Britain has finally agreed to return the remains of First Chimurenga war heroes is not new; it’s a topic that’s been discussed for years, with the British side expressing a willingness to facilitate the return since at least 2015. The delays appear to be on the Zimbabwean end, stemming from a lack of political will and cultural complexities surrounding the repatriation process. The repatriation efforts, which often gain public attention around Heroes Day, have repeatedly stalled without a clear path forward from the Zimbabwean government or its people.
The Long, Stalled Journey to Repatriation
For a decade, the conversation around repatriating the skulls of First Chimurenga heroes like Mbuya Nehanda has been a source of hope and frustration. The issue first came to national prominence in 2015 when then-President Robert Mugabe publicly demanded the return of the remains, which were held in British museums, including the Natural History Museum in London. The museum responded by confirming it was in discussions with Zimbabwean authorities and was willing to work with them on the issue. This willingness has been reiterated multiple times since, including in 2022 when a Zimbabwean delegation visited the UK for talks. This delegation was led by Dr Godfrey Mahachi.
Despite the UK’s clear position, the process has repeatedly faltered. The issue, as sources within the Zimbabwean government have indicated, isn’t a lack of cooperation from the British side. It’s a logistical and cultural stalemate in Zimbabwe itself.
The Cultural and Political Hurdles
The repatriation process is fraught with complex cultural and political challenges. For instance, the traditional belief systems of Zimbabwe’s Shona people dictate that only certain individuals—specifically, those of royal blood or spiritual authority—can handle the remains of ancestors. This has created a significant barrier, as key figures have reportedly been reluctant to take on the responsibility of bringing the remains back. According to one account, by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information Nick Mangwana was told by chiefs that only those with “ropa rehumambo” (royal blood) were fit to handle the remains, leading him to abandon his efforts. Nick Mangwana has no royal blood and is also referred to a commoner . This deference to traditional customs, while understandable, has created a bureaucratic logjam, with no one willing to take the final step of physically collecting the remains. Another challenge is that this matter cannot be handled by thise with dirty hands, blood in their hands, those who engage in evil or dirty deeds.
Furthermore, the Zimbabwean community in the diaspora, while vocal on the issue, have done everything that needs to be done, have challenged the British on the issue, highlighted what is expected according to Zimbabwean culture and tradition and they agreed to honour it. This includes allowing Zimbabweans to hold the cultural ceremonies like bira, they agreed to provide the space needed to conduct such ceremonies. We have also held several conferences on the issue to create awareness so the community can get involved. I am involved in the matter because a few of our people were also beheadeddue to my being a direct descendant of King Mbari aka Paramount Chief Mbari who ruled Harare before colonialism by the British. The heroes and royals were killed in Harare and there is the cultural requirement to hold traditional ceremony and cleansing as well as preparing to welcome the remsins in Zimbabwe by the Mbari clan who own the land the heroes were killed in. We have also made efforts to organize into a cohesive force to drive the repatriation forward. Community-led initiatives, which have been successful in other countries, have not materialized in Zimbabwe due to a lack of collective action and political fragmentation.
A Recurring Heroes Day Narrative
Each year, as Heroes Day approaches, the topic of the repatriated skulls resurfaces, often as a talking point in political speeches. It serves as a powerful symbol of national identity and historical grievance, but the repeated failure to complete the repatriation exposes a deep-seated inertia. The public statements from both sides show a clear path: the museums have identified remains that are likely of Zimbabwean origin and are awaiting a formal request and collection from the Zimbabwean government.
The real story, therefore, isn’t a new breakthrough. It’s the prolonged, sad saga of a nation’s failure to bring its heroes home, a failure rooted not in colonial resistance, but in modern-day political and cultural inaction. Until these domestic hurdles are addressed, the heads of these revered leaders will remain boxed in a museum, a poignant symbol of a nation still struggling to reconcile with its past and its present.
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