MUTARE – The ruling ZANU PF party has proposed that 15 September, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s birthday, be officially declared a public holiday to be known as Munhumutapa Day, in honour of what party officials described as his “visionary leadership” and “steadfast commitment to national development.”
The proposal was announced during the ZANU PF Annual National People’s Conference held in Mutare, where senior party officials said the day would serve as a moment of reflection on Zimbabwe’s “post-liberation progress and sovereign resilience.”
Party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said the proposed Munhumutapa Day would symbolise “a celebration of modern statecraft rooted in the ancient wisdom of the Munhumutapa Empire — the cradle of civilisation in Southern Africa.”
“The President has carried the torch of our ancestors with courage and foresight, steering the nation through global storms and safeguarding our sovereignty,” Mutsvangwa declared. “Munhumutapa Day will be a national reminder that Zimbabwe’s destiny is in our own hands.”
If approved by Cabinet and Parliament, Munhumutapa Day would join Zimbabwe’s list of national commemorations such as Independence Day, Heroes Day, and Defence Forces Day. Party insiders say the holiday would include cultural exhibitions, national service activities, and youth-led initiatives celebrating innovation and patriotism.
The idea has, however, sparked mixed reactions across the country. Supporters within ZANU PF view it as a fitting tribute to a leader who has prioritised national industrialisation, food security, and infrastructural transformation under his Vision 2030 agenda.
Critics, including some civic groups and opposition figures, argue that declaring a public holiday for a sitting president risks politicising national commemorations and may be seen as an attempt at personality cult-building reminiscent of liberation-era politics.
Political analyst Eldred Masunungure cautioned that while celebrating national achievements is legitimate, “Zimbabwe must be careful not to blur the line between honouring leadership and idolising individuals.”
As the proposal moves through government channels, many Zimbabweans are watching closely to see whether Munhumutapa Day will indeed become part of the official national calendar — a symbolic blend of heritage, politics, and power in the Second Republic’s evolving narrative.
The post ZANU PF Proposes “Munhumutapa Day” to Honour President Mnangagwa’s Birthday first appeared on The Zimbabwe Mail.