The old Pioneer Cemetery in Mbare tells a strange story these days. People walk through it carelessly, stepping on the graves of those who once ruled Zimbabwe during colonial times. Men relieve themselves there despite laws against grave desecration. The broken walls and scattered trash show how little respect remains for this historic site. This neglect happens as Zimbabwe marks another independence celebration.
The cemetery holds remains of the Pioneer Column members who came north in 1890 under Cecil John Rhodes to claim land beyond the Limpopo River. These colonial settlers created Rhodesia's racial system but chose to be buried near what became a black township. The irony stands clear – those who enforced harsh laws against Africans depend on their descendants to protect their final resting place. Their graves sit in a community that suffered under their rule. Residents pass through without thinking about whose bones lie beneath.
Fixing the cemetery matters not to honor oppressors but to acknowledge history properly. The Harare City Council should repair walls, add signs, and maintain the grounds regularly. With proper management, it could become an educational space or even attract tourists interested in figures like Mother Patrick, who founded Harare's first school. The cemetery reflects our relationship with our past – letting it decay means losing chances to face history honestly.
The cemetery holds remains of the Pioneer Column members who came north in 1890 under Cecil John Rhodes to claim land beyond the Limpopo River. These colonial settlers created Rhodesia's racial system but chose to be buried near what became a black township. The irony stands clear – those who enforced harsh laws against Africans depend on their descendants to protect their final resting place. Their graves sit in a community that suffered under their rule. Residents pass through without thinking about whose bones lie beneath.
Fixing the cemetery matters not to honor oppressors but to acknowledge history properly. The Harare City Council should repair walls, add signs, and maintain the grounds regularly. With proper management, it could become an educational space or even attract tourists interested in figures like Mother Patrick, who founded Harare's first school. The cemetery reflects our relationship with our past – letting it decay means losing chances to face history honestly.
