ONE way of celebrating and appreciating the historical events of a country is through erecting statues that commemorate monumental events or heroes.
Statues do not only act as a reminder of contributions made by individuals but tell the history of a people.
In Zimbabwe the story of the struggle of the black majority against colonial bondage cannot be complete without mentioning the contributions of Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi.
They are important figures in the history of the country and their contributions represent not only resilience but determination to see a free Zimbabwe.
History has highlighted how the two boldly fought for what they believed in.
Their actions kept alive the aspirations for freedom and self-determination.
Both Nehanda and Kaguvi were brutally killed on allegations of banditry and rebellion by the British South Africa Company founded by Cecil John Rhodes.
History holds that Mbuya Nehanda was hung together with Sekuru Kaguvi, after she ordered the execution of British Commissioner Henry Hawkins Pollard in 1887.
It is befitting that statues of these two heroes be erected all over in places where they are visible to many people.
Though whites buried the two at a place we will never know, it remains the duty of Zimbabweans to continue celebrating and telling the story of these prominent figures through putting up statues of them literally everywhere.
And it is only us the citizens who have to advocate this and commission artists to create these images and sculptures.
When a statue is erected one is quick to get the story that goes with it.
Rhodes ensured his legacy and ideas would continue by commissioning hundreds of his statues dotted around the world in former British colonies.
So powerful are these symbols that South Africa’s University of Cape Town began the ‘Rhodes Must Fall’ campaign which has now spread to Oxford University, UK.
Rhode’s grave at Matopos is a symbol that continues to affect and impact both blacks and whites.
Whites continue to be inspired by this architect of colonialism while Africans feel revulsion.
The grave is an affront to all blacks.
Just as artists made hundreds of Rhodes’ statues, so should we make ours of Nehanda, Kaguvi and Lobengula as well as many other heroes and heroines.
These statues will make our story vivid and unforgettable.
Presently we only have three statues of Mbuya Nehanda in this country.
The statues are at Parliament Building, National Archives and the Reserve Bank.
The Chinese are an example of people who have kept and value symbols that define them as a people.
For example, the founder of modern China, Mao Tse Tung is revered in this country.
His embalmed body is on permanent display in Tiananmen Square.
Many statues of him have been made with the prominent one being the one located in Tianfu Square, Chengdu.
The monument stands 30 metres tall and depicts the revered leader with an outstretched arm.
It is our duty to erect symbols that tell our story.