THE National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) has added a new
feature on Masvingo streets, after it erected plaques with a history of national heroes
after whom different streets have been named.
Going up the streets which were changed from the colonial names to names of the
heroes who contributed to the liberation war, a common sight in the city these days
is that of groups of people pausing to read the plaques placed by NMMZ.
In trying to comprehend the nature of the erected plaques one would end up reading
the brief historical background of the hero whose name is inscribed on the plaque.
Hughes Street, which runs from the backyard of Chevron Hotel to the Masvingo
Magistrate’s Court was renamed after President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose
plaque has been erected at Pick n Pay.
Hofmeyer Street was renamed after the late Vice President Simon Muzenda and the
plaque has been erected at OK Supermarket.
Robertson Street was renamed after the late national hero, Eddison Zvobgo, and his
plaque has been erected at Masvingo Provincial Headquarters.
Hellet Street was renamed Shuvai Mahofa, who was referred to as Chikoforo, while
Bradburn Street was renamed after Sheba Tavarwisa.
In an interview, NMMZ Southern Region Lovemore Mandima, said they are adding
value to the work that was done by Masvingo City Council of naming streets in
honour of the heroes and heroines of Zimbabwe.
We have put plaques on five streets in Masvingo town and a sixth plaque shall be
put at Government Building in Gutu but these plaques are meant to memorialise,
honour and showcase the outstanding roles which were played by our heroes and
heroines of the liberation struggle."
He said it is important that people understand the role played by the liberation war
heroes through reading the plaques.
The first step the Government did was to rename the streets and we thought it
prudent that apart from people seeing the names they need to understand why a
particular road was named after a particular individual. We are simply trying to add
value to what the City of Masvingo has done to comply with a Cabinet position that
there is a need for local authorities to honour heroes and heroines," he said.