Chitungwiza Arts Centre Seizes Opportunity to Redefine History Through Visual Art Competition

Chitungwiza Arts Centre chairperson Tendai Gwarazava has expressed optimism about Zimbabwean artists’ participation in the Cecil John Rhodes Visual Art Competition, seeing it as an opportunity to positively reconstruct the country’s history by honoring liberation struggle heroes and champions of independent Zimbabwe.

“The sculpture series concept will be called The Journey to Independence, which will comprise all our war heroes and the masses’ contribution to our independence,” Gwarazava said.

He proposed the creation of a Zimbabwean independence sculpture park dedicated to celebrating national heroes and potentially including African heroes who contributed to Zimbabwe’s independence. The park, he said, could serve as an important site for educational tours and tourism.

“The sculptures will be made out of stone, a material of historical significance used in creating the Zimbabwe Bird,” he added.

Gwarazava appealed to arts stakeholders, donors, and the government to support this initiative through financial sponsorship and provision of raw materials for artists.

“We need to restore our cultural heritage and dignity as Africans by rebuilding our image on The Journey to Independence,” he emphasized. “This shall also help the ordinary people to fully understand the importance of our hard-earned independence as Zimbabweans.”

The inclusion of Zimbabwean artists in the competition comes amid ongoing debates about the legacy of Cecil John Rhodes. The mounting of his statue at Oriel College in London in 2015 sparked global controversy, with many questioning its relevance given Rhodes’ role in British colonialism in Africa. Calls for its removal led the college to commission a study into Rhodes’ legacy, and the art competition was introduced as part of efforts to provide diverse historical perspectives.

The competition has drawn international participation, with the winning sculpture set to be the centrepiece of an exhibition opening in September. The initiative, organized in partnership with the Oxford Zimbabwe Arts Partnership, aims to provide a platform for Zimbabwean artists to engage in historical discourse through visual art.

Prominent journalist Lettice Bromovsky of the Daily Mail Online reported that Chitungwiza Arts Centre artists would play a significant role in the competition. She noted that the goal of the new sculpture would be to symbolize “the strength and courage of our ancestors” and inspire a vision of peace and unity.

Lord Mendoza, provost of Oriel College, emphasized that the new artwork would contribute to a broader effort to explore colonial legacies while fostering dialogue on historical complexities.

Gwarazava underscored the importance of the sculpture in representing the resilience of Zimbabwe’s forebears. “The sculpture should symbolize the strength and courage of our ancestors, who despite facing unimaginable hardships, continued to fight for their freedom and dignity. It should inspire us to work towards a brighter future, where the people in the world can live in peace, harmony, and prosperity.”

As the competition progresses, the participation of Zimbabwean artists offers an opportunity to present narratives that celebrate African resilience and independence while contributing to global discussions on colonial history.