ZIMBABWE today marks 46 years of independence under the theme Zim@46: Unity and Development towards Vision 2030, with commemorations in Matobo district underscoring unity, inclusivity and economic transformation.
Voices from across the arts, heritage and civic sectors reflect a nation balancing memory, identity and ambition.
Rumbidzai Dihwa: Panyatsime Heritage and Culture Centre
Panyatsime Heritage and Culture Centre describes cultural preservation as central to independence.
Established in 2018 in Chitungwiza, the Centre promotes Zimbabwean identity through immersive heritage education aligned with the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
Its traditional homestead model offers a living museum experience, bridging generations through indigenous knowledge systems, performances and community engagement.
Initiatives like cultural tourism and planned heritage festivals strengthen national pride and cultural diplomacy despite funding and infrastructure constraints.
Panyatsime Heritage and Culture Centre positions heritage as a foundation for sovereignty and a tool to inspire future generations.
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Beauty Hughes: Environmental artist, recycling and upcycling queen
Independence is closely linked to opportunities, particularly for rural girls.
I transform waste into functional art, including framing recycling and upcycling as both economic empowerment and environmental stewardship.
Girls and women in the rural areas can do the same and earn a living.
Freedom won through sacrifice grants Zimbabweans the right to utilise land and resources productively.
I strongly challenges perceptions that success is urban-centric, arguing rural spaces hold untapped potential.
My call positions young women as custodians of land and drivers of sustainable development. I urge girls to “use it, grow it and make it last forever”.
Minister Tanaka Achieve Mutongwa Razerera of E.T.E Entertainment
Cultural events like the Zim@46 Independence celebrations at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera play a pivotal role in driving unity and economic activity.
Independence celebrations are framed as platforms for community engagement, talent promotion and opportunity creation.
The programme blends official speeches, live music and sport, reflecting a model where entertainment intersects with national development goals.
Leaders emphasise networking and youth participation as key to Vision 2030.
Caroline Chirowodza, aka Caychi (musician and radio personality)
Creative freedom in post-independence Zimbabwe has made it possible for blending Afrobeat, Afro-fusion and local rhythms which are part of cultural heritage and are central to my sound and storytelling.
The industry’s shift from physical sales to digital platforms, enabling global reach despite persistent challenges such as piracy, limited funding, and infrastructure gaps.
My work focuses on love, social issues, and everyday experiences, aiming to unify audiences while amplifying Zimbabwean identity internationally.
Milcah Maigurira: Dzimbabwe Institute of Heritage and Culture
The Dzimbabwe Institute of Heritage and Culture frames independence beyond economic metrics, emphasising culture as the “bedrock of sustainable development”.
Its message calls for integrating heritage into policy, from tourism to community-led innovation.
The institute argues that unity depends on embracing diversity and that indigenous knowledge systems offer pathways to inclusive growth.
Mutare Goodwill Ambassador Jairos Mutambikwa (musician)
As a musician and Mutare Goodwill Ambassador, I underscore the historical weight of independence and recall the sacrifices of the liberation struggle.
Majority rule is closely linked to empowerment and highlights developments in infrastructure, agriculture and sport.
Mutambikwa also calls for greater recognition of creatives, particularly in football culture, where musicians contribute to fan identity and national spirit.
Being fully aware of the need to acknowledge progress, may I stress the need for stronger institutional support for the arts.
Conclusion
Together, these perspectives present Zimbabwe at 46 as a nation negotiating its past while shaping a culturally grounded, innovation-driven future.a
