Harare, (New Ziana) -The cultural heritage sector is undergoing a dramatic turnaround, with the government declaring the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) a key driver of national identity, education and economic development following a period of instability.
Addressing the NMMZ Annual General Meeting in Harare on Friday, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe, said the institution had moved from a difficult phase into one defined by recovery, accountability and renewed purpose, adding the reconstitution of the board in May 2024 was the turning point the restored order within the organisation.
“That process brought back full oversight, strengthened accountability and rebuilt stakeholder confidence,” he said, commending the board, management and staff for navigating a challenging period.
He highlighted key achievements, including the declaration of 14 new national monuments and the completion of major heritage and community museum projects, saying these milestones reflect the confidence of the government in the NMMZ mandate.
Kazembe praised the NMMZ for shifting towards digital systems, describing the launch of a corporate website and a web-based collections management platform as a major step in improving transparency and widening public access to Zimbabwe’s heritage.
“These are not just technological upgrades, but a transformation that positions Zimbabwe on the global heritage stage,” he said.
He noted that despite economic pressures, the NMMZ had managed to generate significant revenue while containing expenditure, resulting in an operational surplus, a development he described as evidence of strong financial discipline.
Kazembe however pointed to persistent challenges such as underfunding, ageing infrastructure, skills shortages and cyber security risks, urging the institution to innovate and diversify revenue streams.
He said the government is fast-tracking the review of the National Museums and Monuments Act, which he said is outdated and no longer responsive to modern demands.
“Heritage is a strategic national asset that underpins identity, tourism, education and economic growth,” he said, calling for stronger partnerships, increased commercialisation and deeper community engagement.
Kazembe further challenged the NMMZ to complete outstanding legacy projects within set deadlines and to actively correct distorted historical narratives by properly documenting liberation heritage sites.
NMMZ board chairman, Munyaradzi Manyanga, said the institution’s recent progress comes after years of operational and governance setbacks.
He said prior to 2024, the organisation struggled with compliance issues, including failure to hold annual general meetings, largely due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and internal governance gaps.
“These challenges affected key deliverables such as the timely production of audited financial statements,” he said, noting that high staff turnover and critical skills shortages further weakened operations.
Despite these difficulties, Manyanga said the institution remained committed to its mandate, achieving notable successes in heritage preservation, including conservation work at major national sites such as Great Zimbabwe and other liberation heritage locations.
He also highlighted the expansion of the national heritage estate through the proclamation of new monuments, describing it as a significant step in safeguarding Zimbabwe’s cultural legacy.
Manyanga pointed to infrastructure development as another key achievement, citing the completion of independence legacy projects and the commissioning of community museums that promote heritage awareness at grassroots level.
On the financial front, he commended improved internal controls and disciplined expenditure management, which enabled the NMMZ to post an operational surplus despite a volatile economic environment.
He said a defining feature of 2024 was the investment in digital transformation, which has improved efficiency, transparency and global accessibility of heritage collections.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges such as funding constraints and ageing equipment, Manyanga expressed optimism about the future.
“With governance restored and digital foundations now in place, the institution is well positioned not only as a custodian of the past, but as a dynamic driver of education and national development,” he said.
New Ziana
