Cultural Heritage Research Journal

Economic development or Heritage for posterity?

Zimbabwe is a developing country in the southern part of Africa which is popularly known for its cultural heritage masterpiece ‘Great Zimbabwe’ world heritage site. The name Zimbabwe is a native language word for a big ‘House of Stone’, this also implies the richness the nation is, in terms of heritage. This then clarifies how important heritage should be to the citizens of the country because Zimbabwe is the sense of everyone’s identity and nationality. To some, Great Zimbabwe is a focal rallying point whilst to others it is a national shrine for religious rituals therefore. Heritage, as opined by Lowenthal, is important to all humans who in turn should husband, transmit and protect it. 

Great Zimbabwe 

Conversely, the nation is economically facing a recession and as a result, developmental initiations contravene heritage management policies. Controversial situations are always rising due to the lack of clear guidelines on pre-requisites for developmental projects at a national level. This has subsequently led to the loss of archaeological heritage and disturbances on intangible heritage. An example of a sacred hill called Sviba within the buffer zones of Great Zimbabwe would best suit the context with which I am concerned about. A telecommunications booster was erected in this sacred hill of Sviba without having done archaeological impact assessments prior such a development and hence burials were disturbed during the process. The responsible authorities were only informed of such a development because burial remains were discovered, heartbreaking this is. 

Zimbabwe has rapid infrastructural and land developments which are mostly in contrast with sustainable management of heritage property. Another example is of the Tokwe-Mukosi dam which was constructed in Masvingo province where Great Zimbabwe world heritage site is. (pic 2 below showing constructed dam)

Tokwe Mukosi

This led to loss of numerous archaeological heritage and to me it so happened because Zimbabwe does not have a clear policy for development-led archaeology. Lowenthal has opined that whatever burdens, a heritage can be it can never be unused: and he further noted the need to respect, accept, husband and transmit it.

These damages on heritage which result from the need to economically develop land for economic growth has triggered my concern to advocate for the preservation and maintenance of heritage for posterity in Zimbabwe. From my observations and analysis of heritage management policies and economic/environmental policies, the relations are not cordial but rather environmental and economic concerns override those of heritage protection. Without a blueprint to determine who is responsible for the heritage impact assessments, the nation will soon mourn most of its heritage. In fact, amateur heritage managers will continue to emerge from out of the blue and recommend the developmental projects to progress just so they receive their wages for the job done.

As a heritage manager in making, with a little experience in the practical field of heritage management I have embarked on this journey. This challenging journey to legally represent and protect the endangered heritage of my precious motherland Zimbabwe is not easy but I have come too far to be intimidated already. Taking an active and supportive role to conscientise all that know me about this need to speak out and save our heritage. Economic development or heritage for posterity? I choose sustainable use, development and inter-generational equity for our common identity, heritage.

Reference;

Lowenthal, D. e.d (1998) The Heritage Crusade and the Spoils of History.

Ndoro, W.  (2005) The Preservation of Great Zimbabwe. Your Monument our Shrine. ICCROM

Picture 1 taken by blog author