EDITOR – THE famed Wikipedia says that a monument is ‘a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, or as an example of historic architecture’.
The term ‘monument’ is often applied to buildings or structures that are considered examples of important architectural and/or cultural heritage.
And as we approach the independence holiday, we must reflect on the need to celebrate our success and achievements, heroes as ell as heroines through art.
Where are the statues of our greats?
Our cities do not possess the figures of our heroes.
Monuments and statues are indeed created to convey historical information, to keep alive ideals and principles.
They reinforce and strengthen cherished memories.
One thing that fascinates us when we visit Europe and the US are giant statues dotted all over the places.
They commemorate and remember characters hundreds of years old.
Most of these works are created and donated by the finest artists of these lands.
Where are our artists?
What subjects are they dealing with?
For the last 1 000 years, monuments have been created, becoming durable and famous symbols of ancient civilisations.
We have the great home of Munhumutapa, the Great Zimbabwe, but where is his statue – the statue of this great man who ran an empire that impressed all and sundry.
Where is the statue of Chaminuka?
Let not our children be impressed by giant statues in Europe when we can have our own.
Surely something must be done.

Nyasha Rukodzi,
Braeside