By Memory Mudzani
The Mhakwe Heritage Foundation Trust (MHFT) has called on Zimbabweans to protect the country’s natural resources and preserve its cultural heritage, saying the two are closely linked.
Speaking during an interview, the organisation’s founder and director, David Mutambirwa, also known as Chief Svosve, said the trust promotes the conservation of natural resources such as mountains, trees and wetlands, while encouraging the preservation of indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions.
“We advocate for heritage and cultural preservation through research and documentation, the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems, wetlands, indigenous trees, indigenous foods and medicines, arts, sacred places, and minority languages and cultures,” said Mutambirwa.
He said the organisation’s goal is to create platforms that encourage Zimbabweans to reflect on and appreciate their diverse cultural identities.
Mutambirwa said the trust also uses online platforms to engage people from different parts of the country in discussions on cultural traditions and environmental conservation.
He urged communities to respect mountains, which he said are regarded as sacred in some indigenous belief systems and also serve as important habitats for wildlife and sources of water.
Mutambirwa also encouraged the protection of indigenous trees, saying they play an important role in conserving biodiversity, improving air and water quality, providing food and supporting both traditional and modern medicine.
He further expressed concern over practices that he said some communities believe desecrate sacred sites, including placing shrines in mountains and tying coloured cloths to trees during certain rituals. These views reflect beliefs held by some traditional communities.
Meanwhile, Silobela resident Partson Moyo raised concerns about environmental degradation associated with some mining activities.
He alleged that mining operations, including those involving some Chinese-owned companies, had contributed to land degradation in his area and elsewhere in the country.
Moyo called on mining companies to rehabilitate land after extraction by closing open pits and planting trees to reduce environmental damage.
