Brian Rungano Temba
President Mnangagwa is in Bulawayo today where he will officially launch the Heritage Corridor in the city.
He is expected to visit the Inxwala Grounds between the city centre and Northend suburb is bounded by Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue to the south, the Old Lady Stanley Avenue to the west, Beit Avenue to the north, and Athlone Avenue to the East.
The National Arts Council told media that President Mnangagwa will officially declare the ground, which was until recently used as a Lunar park, as a national heritage site.
The ground, according to historian Pathisa Nyathi was where the Inxwala ceremony in pre-colonial times would take place.
Inxwala was a unique festival of first fruits, which the king and a few select community members would take part of, the ceremony had social, political and economic connotations.
The place was desecrated by colonial actors in the 1890s.
The launch is significant in that it gives impetus to the indigenous way of doing things, to which the space was an arena.
President Mnangagwa is also expected to visit the Hanging Tree, Cde Joshua Nkomo Statue, St Mary’s Basilica, Joshua Nkomo Museum and National History Museum.
After touring the key historical sites, President Mnangagwa will be Guest of Honour at the Bulawayo Arts Festival.
Bulawayo is rich in cultural sites, artifacts and all forms of art that are part of the bedrock of our national heritage and identity.
President Mnangagwa has been showing commitment to the cultural and historical aspect of Zimbabwean life, his Bulawayo visit comes a few days after he officiated the unveiling of first Chimurenga heroine, Charwe (Mbuya Nehanda).
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