Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The government has declared that Munhumutapa Day, scheduled for 15 September, is not a public holiday.
The day was introduced by the ZANU-PF Youth League to celebrate both the legacy of the ancient Mutapa (Munhumutapa) Empire and the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose birthday falls on the same date.
Critics, however, argue that the observance is less about national heritage and more about boosting Mnangagwa’s personal image, with some describing it as a vanity project, particularly in light of Zimbabwe’s ongoing economic and social challenges.
The term Munhumutapa refers to the rulers of the Mutapa Empire, a powerful pre-colonial kingdom that once stretched across parts of modern-day Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
They are credited with constructing the iconic Great Zimbabwe monument, employing advanced stone masonry techniques without the use of mortar.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe stressed that the day “was never declared a holiday”. Said Kazembe:
“We have not been given that instruction. The day was never declared a holiday; should there be a proposal for the day to be a holiday, normal procedure will be followed. But it is a day set aside to remember the Munhumutapa Day.”
As the day is not a public holiday, businesses and schools will operate as normal, with the working week continuing uninterrupted.
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