Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini-Zuma Endorses the Museum of African Liberation

By Edward Makuzva

Former Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Her Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini-Zuma, has endorsed the Museum of African Liberation after an official tour of Liberation City in Harare, describing the project as a milestone in reclaiming Africa’s story and safeguarding its heritage.

Liberation City, a 101-hectare multi-purpose development, is being spearheaded by the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK) with support from the Government of Zimbabwe.

Once complete, it will house the Museum of African Liberation, a Heritage Village, Liberation Mall, an African-themed Amusement Park, Animal Park, a five-star hotel, and Presidential Villas, an ambitious project designed to blend cultural preservation with economic sustainability.

Dr Dhlamini-Zuma, who was hosted by INSTAK Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi, commended the project for being built by Africans, for Africans.

“I think this is a fantastic project, because Africa must have its story, its history. What I also like is that it is being built by Africans in Zimbabwe.

We’re not asking other people from other continents to come and build it for us; we’re building it ourselves. It also reclaims our identity.

More importantly, it tells of our journey in terms of our liberation because this freedom was not free. So for me, I’m very impressed, really,” said Dr Dhlamini-Zuma.

The former AU Commission Chairperson further praised INSTAK’s innovative commercial model that integrates tourism and leisure facilities to sustain the Museum and ensure accessibility.

“I also like the concept of having commercial ventures that support the Museum, because the Museum must be very cheap for people to come in, so that nobody can say, ‘I want to go to the Museum, but I don’t have money to pay’. So I think it’s an excellent idea; I’m very impressed.”

Dr Dhlamini-Zuma, who made history as the first woman to chair the African Union Commission (2012–2017), has also served as South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Home Affairs, among other senior government posts.

Ambassador Muzawazi expressed gratitude for her visit, noting that her longstanding support had been crucial to INSTAK’s achievements.

“As Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Her Excellency played a key role in the publication of the first-ever Africa Factbook.

Under her leadership, the AU endorsed and internalised INSTAK’s activities as critical components of AU programmes aligned to education, heritage, and memory preservation.

Her endorsement today of the work we are doing here with the support of His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Government of Zimbabwe emboldens us and encourages us to go further and do more for Africans everywhere.”

INSTAK and the AU signed memoranda of understanding in 2016 and 2019 to produce the Africa Factbook, which was published in 2020 as the first comprehensive record of over 1,000 years of African history.

Liberation City continues to receive strong backing from regional and continental institutions, including the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), affirming its place as a Pan-African landmark project.