By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has commended the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) for its resilience and achievements during a challenging period.
He was speaking at the NMMZ Annual General Meeting (AGM) convened in Harare on Friday to review its performance for the year ended 31 December 2024, assess challenges and chart a sustainable path for the organisation.
Kazembe said the NMMZ has demonstrated resilience in the face of economic pressures and the transition to the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), maintaining operations while safeguarding the cultural, natural and liberation heritage of the country.
“I want to acknowledge the NMMZ’s digital transformation initiatives, including the launch of the new website and Collection Management System. These are significant steps towards modernizing heritage management. The Government is committed to supporting NMMZ’s mandate, and I would like to urge the entity to continue pursuing revenue diversification and partnership development to reduce reliance on Treasury for funding,” he said.
Speaking at the same occassion, interim chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Munyaradzi Manyanga, said the period under review was characterised by institutional recovery, restoration of governance and renewed strategic direction following the reconstitution of the board in May 2024.
“I want to assure all stakeholders that the Board remains committed to preserving Zimbabwe’s cultural, natural and liberation heritage for present and future generations, and to upholding the highest standards of accountability, transparency and good governance. The reconstitution of the board in May 2024 restored full fiduciary oversight, strengthened accountability and re-established confidence among stakeholders. The Board worked closely with executive management to stabilize operations, clear governance backlogs and refocus the entity on its statutory mandate and long-term sustainability,” he said.
Manyanga said the NMMZ had recorded several achievements during the period, including the gazetting of 14 new national monuments, the commissioning of Pupu national monument in Lupane, Matabeland North province and Kamungoma liberation war memorial memorial site in Gutu, Masvingo province as well as the Nambya Community Museum in Hwange, Matabeleland North province.
The institution also launched a modern corporate website and commissioned a web-based Collections Management System as part of its digital transformation drive.
Its heritage education outreach programs reached more than 19 000 learners nationwide, expanding public engagement and awareness of Zimbabwe’s heritage.
Despite the progress, Manyanga acknowledged that the NMMZ continued to face funding constraints, an ageing vehicle fleet, skills gaps in specialised areas and growing cyber-security risks.
He said the challenges were being addressed through strategic planning, targeted capacity building and strengthened risk governance frameworks.
The NMMZ financial report for the year ended 31 December 2024 showed that total revenue stood at ZiG59 981 109, with the government grants accounting for approximately 67 percent of the total. Entrance fees were the largest source of retained revenue, generating ZiG10 172 364 during the year.
The institution recorded an operating surplus of ZiG1 899 626, a significant increase from the ZiG127 142 recorded in 2023. Total assets were valued at ZiG132 844 543, while property and equipment rose to ZiG127 160 554 following a comprehensive valuation.
Manyanga attributed the improved financial position to cost-containment measures, strengthened internal controls and enhanced oversight, which enabled NMMZ to operate within available resources and record an operational surplus.
The AGM comes as the NMMZ seeks to strengthen governance, improve financial sustainability and accelerate the modernisation of heritage management while continuing to protect Zimbabwe’s national heritage for future generations.
New Ziana
