The government is erecting a memorial statue for Zimbabwe’s First Chimurenga war hero, Mbuya Nehanda, at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in Harare.
Work on the statue started on June 25 and is projected to have been completed by August 28.
City of Harare has since announced the temporary closure of portions of Samora Machel between Leopold Takawira Street and First Street and Julius Nyerere Way between Sam Nunjoma Street and Kwame Nkurumah Avenue.
According to The Herald, the erection of the monument was a Government project, but the National Museums and Monuments is at the forefront. The publication quoted its source as having said:
Works currently underway at Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way Intersection is meant for the construction of a memorial statue for Mbuya Nehanda.
The project is being run by the Office of the President and Cabinet, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ministry, department of Public Works, National Archives of Zimbabwe and National Museums and Monuments.
Mbuya Nehanda was hanged on April 27, 1902, following her capture for leading the 1896/97 liberation war against white settlers.
Together with another leader of the rebellion, Sekuru Kaguvi, she was sentenced to death and hanged by the British.