THE story of Zimbabwe’s independence cannot be fully told without mentioning the significance of the Njelele shrine in Matopo.
The Njelele shrine is synonymous with the rise of African nationalism in the late 1950s.
It is also synonymous with the unity and worship that the people of Zimbabwe practised before the coming of Cecil John Rhodes and his Pioneer Column in 1890.
Whites have a muted respect for Njelele.
Cecil John Rhodes saw the significance of Njelele Mwari shrine and ensconced himself at this all important shrine.
That his remains are interred there speaks volumes of how whites saw the strength of our religion.
Yet we have missed and continue to miss the connection between Njelele Mwari shrine and our independence whose anniversary we celebrate tomorrow.
Yes we won our independence on April 18, 1980 after a protracted and bloody war, but the successive wars that led to this freedom, particularly the Second Chimurenga, were won with the help of spirits and spirit mediums who interconnected with Njelele Mwari shrine.
Yes we have written and talked extensively about the country’s war of liberation, but few if any, have given Njelele the attention and focus this sacred shrine deserves.
The Njelele shrine is a story that without doubt presents more questions to Zimbabwe in our search to unravel our history.
Have we done enough to tell our history?
Can the story of our history be complete without explaining the role of the Njelele shrine?
These and other questions require more than serious probing as we celebrate our 34th independence anniversary tomorrow.
Njelele is more than just a shrine.
It is about us as a people.
It is the epitome of our history.
It is the canal of our future.
It is the route to our total independence and freedom.
Let us pose for a moment and never let the people miss this critical aspect of our history.
Last week we spoke about how the request to kick-start the Second Chimurenga was granted at Njelele.
It was more than that.
This is where the liberation war heroes drew the strength to engage the enemy in that bloody war of liberation.
This is where the people honoured the gods.
This is where they prayed for the rains.
At Njelele, they also sought solutions to various national problems and afflictions.
Matters of state were discussed at this sacred shrine.
As indicated in our lead story, during the First Chimurenga, Matonjeni filled the political vacuum created by the defeat of King Lobengula by using messenger networks to coordinate the anti-colonial struggle that united both the Shona and Ndebele.
This is the significance of Njelele.
It united.
It still unites.
This is why as we celebrate our 34th birthday we should cherish that unity built around Njelele Mwari shrine.
We should forever remember that the history of Zimbabwe is shaped around Njelele.
We should commit more energy to telling this important story in our history.
It is a direct challenge to our historians and researchers.