Students call for rewriting of Zimbabwe history

AFRICA University history students last week visited Chimoio Shrines in Mozambique where they called for the rewriting of the country's history to give a true picture of the liberation struggle. The students were accompanied by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Mandi Chimene, their lecturers and officials from the Department of Museums and Monuments.

AU History lecturer, Mr Muneyi Muchanyuka, said the Chimoio trip was an eye-opener as he now realises how the country's history was distorted by some of the writers, especially whites.

"We rely mostly on history written for us by whites who tended to distort some of the facts. In short, the scope of our history was changed to fit the writers' way of thinking and this is very misleading. There is need to revisit the documentation of our history and teach the correct one using narratives from those who were actively involved in the liberation struggle. For Zimbabweans to have a true appreciation of sacrifices made by heroes of the struggle there is need for history to be taught at early stages of life. School trips to shrines like these should be encouraged because to tell someone that there are mass graves out there, the person will not have actual appreciation of what happened during the struggle," he said.

A second year History student, Matthew Machara, said more should be done to portray the actual history.

"There are so many holes in our history that need to be filled. Most of young Zimbabweans know little about our history as we were taught either European or American history during high school studies. For us to be well versed with the Zimbabwean history, the ongoing curriculum review should ensure that history is taught from Grade One to university level. I want to be honest, I knew little about the Chimoio attack. Very little information is available on Google and I am glad that my knowledge has been enriched by this visit," he said.

Another second year student, Cristino Chivheza, said: "The information we are relying on is not that accurate and we cannot say we know a lot about our country's history. As young scholars we need to take it upon ourselves to research on what happened during the Chimurenga wars and come up with the correct literature. It seems a lot of information was left out by the historians whose works we tend rely on for our researches. We need more literature from the survivors of these attacks so that future generations will also benefit. More needs to be done and resources should be availed for the documentation of the true history of our country."

A final year student, Loveness Banda, said it was sad to note that young Zimbabweans were not interested in doing in-depth research on whatever subject they would be tackling.

"We should research more on our history and come up with proper narrative. From what we have gathered from the survivors of the Chimoio bombings, there is information vacuum. The onus is on us to fill the vacuum because no-one will ever come to take up the initiative. Resources should be availed to this great task," she said.

Another final year student, Varaidzo Bvirindi, said: "It shows that those who perished here went through a very painful experience. As Zimbabweans we should not look down upon our history. Our past shapes our future and we should always reflect on it."

Chimene said the revolution spirit should not die, but should be passed on to the next generations.

"We played our role to liberate our country and time has come for us to pass the baton to the young generation. We do not need just paper degrees which you hang on the wall, but something which shapes your destiny in life. We should take a leaf from President Mugabe who is unwavering in everything he does. If you betray the gains of the liberation struggle the departed ones will turn in their graves. As young Zimbabweans, you should be patriotic and put your country first in everything you do," said Chimene.