President Mnangagwa has called on Zimbabwe’s youth to draw inspiration from the legacy of the Munhumutapa Empire and embrace patriotism as the foundation for national development, unity and resilience.
Speaking during the Munhumutapa Day celebrations in Zvishavane yesterday, the President said true nation-building required loyalty to Zimbabwe’s heritage and an unwavering commitment to protecting its sovereignty.
“True patriotism means putting our country first, protecting our culture, and defending the sovereignty that was won through the blood and sacrifice of our liberation heroes. It is about taking pride in being Zimbabwean, working hard in your chosen fields, and rejecting all divisive tendencies that weaken our unity,” said President Mnangagwa.
The second edition of Munhumutapa Day, organised by the ZANU PF Youth League, was celebrated under the theme “From Revolutionary Roots to Youth Empowerment, Securing Our Future”.
President Mnangagwa said the event’s message reflected the values of discipline, hard work and national pride that young people must carry forward.
The President underscored the historical significance of the Munhumutapa Empire, describing it as a model for leadership, trade and governance that continues to inspire Zimbabwe today.
“The Munhumutapa Empire remains a beacon of inspiration for our youth to remain resolute in the preservation of our rich legacy. This is the heritage that you, our young people, must continue to preserve, promote and advance,” he said.
Highlighting the role of youth in the country’s development agenda, President Mnangagwa said his administration had rolled out a wide range of empowerment initiatives, including the Munhumutapa Housing Scheme, the Presidential Youth Empowerment Fund, and agricultural support programmes such as the Heifer and Goat schemes.
“These programmes are evidence that you, the young people of our country, are ready and willing to put shoulder to the wheel as we build our country brick by brick and stone upon stone,” he said.
He challenged young Zimbabweans to leverage Heritage-Based Education 5.0 to create goods and services for both domestic and regional markets, noting that economic innovation was a modern extension of the Munhumutapa legacy of trade and commerce.
The President also warned against modern threats facing young people, particularly drug and substance abuse, which he said undermined both family structures and national progress.
As the celebrations drew to a close, the atmosphere reflected the blend of heritage and modern aspirations that the day sought to highlight.
Youth groups showcased cultural performances, while innovation hubs displayed prototypes of community-based projects inspired by the call for empowerment.
Munhumutapa Day has quickly grown into a platform that connects Zimbabwe’s proud past with its ambitious future.
By rooting young people in patriotism while equipping them with tools for innovation, the commemorations signal a clear direction — one in which the energy of youth becomes the engine that drives the country’s march towards Vision 2030.
