By Zachary Gava
MVURWI, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged Zimbabwe’s young people to draw inspiration from the courage, self-determination and ingenuity of the Munhumutapa civilisation while rejecting drugs, corruption, tribalism and violence.
Speaking at the Munhumutapa Day celebrations in Mvurwi, Mashonaland Central, on Tuesday, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s rich pre-colonial history should serve as a foundation for building a united, peaceful and prosperous nation.
He said the Munhumutapa Empire represented a sophisticated African civilisation whose achievements demonstrated the capacity of indigenous societies to organise themselves, govern their communities and participate in international commerce.
“The Munhumutapa Empire remains a great symbol of a sophisticated pre-colonial people, with unmatched organisational systems, astute economic agility, architectural prowess and cultural depth,” President Mnangagwa said.
The President said the history of the empire demonstrated that African societies had long possessed the capacity to govern themselves and participate in extensive commercial networks before colonial rule.
The Munhumutapa state was a major political and trading power in the region, with its history intertwined with the development of Great Zimbabwe and long-distance trade in gold and other commodities.
The civilisation’s legacy has continued to feature prominently in Zimbabwe’s efforts to reconnect national identity with the country’s pre-colonial heritage.
President Mnangagwa said the Government had declared September 15 a public holiday to immortalise that history and ensure that future generations remained connected to their cultural inheritance.
“It is, therefore, in honour of this background, and for the immortalisation of our rich history and cultural inheritance that my Government resolved to declare 15th September as Munhumutapa Day and a public holiday,” he said.
The inaugural celebrations are being held under the theme “Honouring the Past, Empowering the Present and Securing Zimbabwe’s Future.”
President Mnangagwa said the theme carried a responsibility for young people to protect the country’s sovereignty, unity and peace while contributing to national development.
He urged the youth to reject drugs and substance abuse, which he said threatened to destroy the future of a generation that had inherited an independent country through the sacrifices of its forebears.
“Our forefathers, along with those that fought in the armed liberation struggle did not endure hardships and sacrifice life and limbs for you, today, to surrender your precious lives to drugs and substance abuse. No! Tinoti kwete!” he said.
The President also called on young people to reject crime and violence and instead pursue education, skills development, productive employment and community service.
“I urge you, the young people of Zimbabwe, to also reject crime and violence. Be respectful, exemplary and disciplined, always seek productive work, education and skills to develop yourselves as well as the communities you live,” he said.
He challenged the youth to remain vigilant in defending Zimbabwe’s independence, sovereignty, democracy, unity and peace.
President Mnangagwa also urged young Zimbabweans to reject corruption, tribalism, regionalism and other tendencies that could undermine national cohesion.
He said the country needed a generation prepared to sacrifice and serve Zimbabwe rather than merely consume the opportunities created by independence.
“The future belongs to those who are prepared to sacrifice and wholeheartedly serve our motherland, Zimbabwe,” President Mnangagwa said.
He urged young people to return to their communities with a message of unity, peace, production, productivity and development.
“Kumatunhu kwamunogara, zivikanwa kuti uri wechidiki ane hunhu, anoremekedza vakuru, anoshanda nesimba, uyezve, anoda Nyika yekwedu,” he said.
The President said the youth should also use their talents and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to contribute to national development.
He said Zimbabwe’s young people should be confident enough to venture into new areas and learn from mistakes as they pursue innovation and entrepreneurship.
President Mnangagwa further encouraged the youth to embrace Pan-Africanism and strengthen relations with young people from other liberation movements and progressive organisations around the world.
He said Zimbabwe’s forthcoming chairmanship of COMESA and its expected 2027-2028 tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council would present opportunities for new markets, investment, partnerships and exchanges.
“New markets, investments, exchanges, innovative partnerships and entrepreneurship prospects presented by these platforms must be pursued for the benefit of our economy,” he said.
The President said the country’s prosperity would ultimately depend on citizens who were disciplined, productive and committed to national development.
“Work hard, in freedom; be bold, courageous, innovative and strive to be the best you can be, in our free and independent Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said economic success and a higher quality of life for Zimbabweans would be the most meaningful way of honouring those who sacrificed for the country’s independence.
New Ziana
