Bulawayo (New Ziana) – Protecting Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage is critical in efforts to boost the country’s tourism sector, and also had educational benefits to future generations, an official of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) has said.
In an interview, NMMZ curator Todini Runganga highlighted the need to safeguard fragile cultural resources, such as natural landscapes and ancient rock paintings, which are increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and human interference.
Preserving these sites, he argued, could attract international tourists, boosting the country’s economy while also serving as educational tools for future generations.
“Documentation and conservation programs are essential. Our cultural heritage, like natural landscapes and rock paintings, is incredibly fragile,”
Runganga added: “If we protect these sites, they will not only boost tourism but also offer future generations the chance to learn about our history.”
One significant site, Matobo Natural Landscape, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its dense concentration of ancient rock art.
However, this art is vulnerable to factors such as dust, climate change, and even the oils left behind by human touch.
In response to these threats, the US Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation has launched a project to protect the endangered San rock art in Pomongwe Cave and the Matobo Hills area.
The initiative, funded to the tune of $125,000, aims to improve the documentation and conservation of these treasures.
It will address environmental damage and promote heritage awareness among local communities.
Key partners in this project include the Friends of the Zimbabwe Museums of Human Sciences, Amagugu International Heritage Centre, the University of Zimbabwe’s History, Heritage and Knowledge Systems Department, and the TRACES Laboratory at the University of Toulouse, France.
Local traditional leaders will also play a role, with NMMZ providing administrative and technical support.
Associate Professor at the University of Zimbabwe’s Archaeology and Heritage Management department, Seke Katsamudanga, emphasised the importance of Zimbabwe’s rock art, especially in Matobo, which dates back over 10,000 years.
Despite the durability of the ancient paintings, both natural and human-induced threats continue to challenge the preservation of these historical treasures.
“Heritage professionals have long battled these challenges. Climate change and increasing graffiti are among the most pressing threats to the continued survival of our rock art,” Katsamudanga noted.
The project aims to ensure that Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage remains a vital link between the past, present, and future generations, he said.
New Ziana