By Princess Eugene Majuru
Harare, Zimbabwe (News of The South) – April – As Zimbabwe approaches its 45th independence anniversary on April 18th, a growing sentiment questions the true meaning of liberation while the remains of national heroes languish overseas and the controversial figure of Cecil John Rhodes rests at a sacred Zimbabwean site.
For nearly half a century, Zimbabweans have marked their hard-won freedom from colonial rule. However, this year’s commemoration is shadowed by a persistent and deeply felt grievance: the failure to repatriate the skulls and remains of the country’s liberation war heroes, believed to be held in foreign institutions by former colonizers.
The issue has ignited passionate debate amongst Zimbabweans both at home and abroad. Many argue that true independence cannot be fully realized while these ancestral remains are denied a dignified burial on their own soil. The inability to bring their forefathers home after 45 years of self-governance is seen by some as a profound failure and a stark reminder of the enduring power dynamics of the past.
Adding further fuel to the fire is the continued presence of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave at Matopos (now Matobo Hills), a site of immense spiritual and cultural significance for Zimbabweans. Rhodes, a key architect of British colonial expansion in Southern Africa, is viewed by many as the embodiment of the oppression that Zimbabwe fought so fiercely to overcome. His burial in such a revered location is considered a painful and ongoing affront to the nation’s spirit and identity. My question to Zimbabweans is :
“How can we truly celebrate 45 years of independence when the very people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom are not even resting in peace in their own land?”
“And to have the man who spearheaded our subjugation buried in our sacred Matopos, it’s a constant wound. We know he should be moved, but what have we done to make it happen?”
The sentiment is echoed across social media platforms and in discussions within the Zimbabwean diaspora and also in Zimbabwe. Many feel that successive governments have not done enough to actively pursue the return of ancestral remains and to address the symbolic weight of Rhodes’ burial at Matopos.
“April 18th should be a day of genuine celebration, a testament to our resilience and triumph. “But how can we fully embrace that when these fundamental issues of our history and identity remain unresolved? It feels like a hollow victory.”
The upcoming independence day has become a focal point for renewed calls to action. Many Zimbabweans are urging their government and civic organizations to prioritise the repatriation of ancestral remains and to actively campaign for the removal of Rhodes’ grave from Matopos. They argue that these steps are crucial for achieving complete spiritual and cultural liberation. Even descendants of the heroes whose heads are in the UK are not doing enough to get them home.
The debate raises fundamental questions about the meaning of independence and the long shadow of colonialism. For many Zimbabweans, the 45th anniversary serves as a stark reminder that political freedom alone is insufficient without addressing the deeply embedded legacies of the past. The call for the return of their ancestors and the removal of a symbol of oppression from their sacred land is a powerful assertion of their desire for a truly independent and spiritually healed nation.
As Zimbabwe prepares to mark this significant milestone, the unresolved issues surrounding the remains of liberation heroes and the presence of Rhodes at Matopos cast a long shadow, prompting a national introspection on the true meaning and fulfillment of their independence. The growing chorus of voices demanding action suggests that for many, the fight for complete liberation is far from over.
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