Story by Providence Maraneli
A museum to honour fallen liberation fighters at the Ratanyana battle site in Matobo is nearing completion, with authorities saying the project will preserve Zimbabwe’s liberation history and recognise the sacrifices of those who died during the struggle.
The site commemorates 10 ZIPRA cadres and four children killed in an ambush by Rhodesian forces on February 11, 1979, during the Zimbabwe Liberation War.
One of the survivors, Cde Moses Ngwenya, recalled the intensity of the attack.
“We fought the whole day, and I was the only survivor,” he said.
Residents say the events of that day remain deeply etched in the community’s memory.
“I cannot forget that day,” said Cde Ethel Ndlovu, whose children were caught up in the bombing.
The government says the project is part of efforts to document and preserve the liberation war history under the Second Republic.
Director of Strategic Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Mr Mike Masaka, said the project is almost complete.
“We are at 90% at this site… We are doing this to immortalise the contributions by the gallant sons and daughters,” he said.
Chief Director for War Veterans, Ms Joyce Pikinini, said the initiative will ensure liberation history is formally recorded.
“We are saying this cannot go undocumented, we want to put it in our national history,” she said.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe, said the project reflects the government’s commitment to recognising all who contributed to independence.
“The Second Republic is not leaving anyone and no one behind, people from different areas gave it all,” he said.
The Ratanyana museum is one of several legacy projects linked to this year’s Zimbabwe Independence Day celebrations, to be held in Maphisa under the theme Zim@46: Unity and Development towards Vision 2030.
