THE Great Zimbabwe museum is now secure, with state-of-the-art electronic surveillance equipment installed to curb thefts and potential abuse of valuable archeological artefacts.
A statement issued early in the week by the US Embassy's Public Affairs Section says the US Embassy provided the grant and training to secure the national monument.
Implemented by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), the funding from the US government enabled the NMMZ to procure CCTV systems, battery backups, computer equipment, alarm and fire detection systems and provided training to staff on the use of the new equipment.
Confirming the development, NMMZ Director Dr Godfrey Mahachi told Independent Extra that the support from the US will enhance security at the historic site.
"African heritage sites have suffered heavy losses of cultural objects to theft, and the state of the art security systems that we now have will prevent trafficking of these rare artefacts and remove the immediate risk of permanent loss if stolen artefacts can be authentically identified and recovered," says Dr. Mahachi.
The support from the US will also result in the creation of an auditable computerised inventory of all collections and specimens and an archive through which every object and specimen in the collection can be identified by museum officials, police, customs, art traders and the insurance industry.
"Heritage preservation projects allow us to work closely with Zimbabwean organisations, and to affirm our respect for Zimbabwe's cultures as we jointly identify sites, objects and forms of traditional expression in critical need of preservation," says James McGee, US Ambassador to Zimbabwe.
"I am particularly happy to be able to support the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe in the preservation of the Great Zimbabwe Museum. Preservation of the artefacts will prevent the tragic loss of these works and preserve this important historical site for future generations" he said.
The Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation assists individuals and organisations preserve museum collections, ancient and historic sites, and traditional forms of expression, helping to reinforce cultural identity and community solidarity.
The Great Zimbabwe site is the most valued and revered in the country and includes a museum and interpretive center. This museum houses many valuable archeological artefacts from the immediate area as well as a collection of stone birds that are a source of national pride and in various forms are Zimbabwe's national symbols.
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Funny thing Mugga hasn't bothered to protect the cultural heretige of Zimbabwe.He leaves that up to the west to look after Zimbabwe culture. He is certainly too busy looting the rest of the joint at the momentAlso maybe Mugga sees it as a bit of superannuation for later. So of course it's to keep Mugga's mates, who would pinch the eye out of a needle from getting their hands on it.Crafty old devil.
Buddhamate, I do not buy McGee's public relations gimmick of purporting to help when he may have been the one actually stealing our artefacts. How much of our cultural heritage did they take out of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins (GZR)to now come and purport to help?
I am not swayed a bit by McGee who obviously want to divert attention away from his interference in out internal affairs. He, together with his predicessor, Christopher Dell, were recently in SA for the SADC Summit in order to influence the decision of the summit. Although they dismally failed in this regard, McGee has again continue to manipulate and "swing" with Tsvangirai so that he disrespects the decision of SADC leaders who ruled that the GNU should formed without any further delay.
Their grand plan - to ultimately take the case of Zimbabwe to the UNSC so that the USA and UK could fulfil their long held desire to invade Zimbabwe and install their puppet, Tsvangirai, as president of Zimbabwe.
This help is another form of cultural colonisation being pursued by the Bush regime. Nothing happens at the GZR now without the Americans knowing as the CCTVs are most likely linked directly to the US embassy in Harare.
What other monitoring equipment, besides the cameras, did they install without the knowledge of those who were "trained" to operate the machines? Who maintains the cameras and all the other secret gadgets installed at the GZR when they breakdown? Who provides spares for these in case of the need for a replacement?
Obviously, America gains far more than it "donated" in the long run. It simply means we can not disentangle ourselves from American imperialism for the next 10 to 20 years while we erroneously believe that this was a genuine donation.
Takunya, my suggestion to you is that every time the United States of America or any Western country sends aid of any sort to Zimbabwe, do the world a great favour by simply REFUSING that aid. You spoiled brats mess up your countries by allowing your leaders, and in your case butcher Mugabe, to crap all over the people looting the country and stashing away money that rightfully belongs to Zimbabwe, then you expect hand-outs. If Mugabe cannot feed your sorry selves for corruption and greed, why should other nations? Return the billions of dollars you have received so far from Western nations and good riddance to you.
Kjrs120; If anything it is the West that should return the trillions of dollars they looted out of Africa since the Berlin Conference and before. They are not being generous by giving us filthy lucre when they took and continue to take, out of Africa, 1000 times more. It is absurd to think that Africa should continue to be exploited at this moment in time. Africa will not tolerate thieving ever again.
Takunya, I also believe the thief is the one who has the most locks on his door.But in this case maybe there might be a little gratitude shown for what is being done to preserve something for future generations of Zimbabweans.America now has a president who has genuine empathy for Africans and for that matter just about any culture that might be under siege from oppression of the peoples basic human right to happiness and a fair go.It's educated people like you Tak' that should be embracing the opportunity of being able to build a real free and fair Zimbabwe.So please give some insight as to why Zanu is so determined to hang on to home affairs.Is Morgan being a puppet of the west by wanting to stop the violence that has been unleashed upon fellow Zimbabweans?Mugabe has no longer a dream to share, only the nightmare remains.There is a better way,peace is not the absence of war but the result of heart to heart dialog and acceptance of every man's right to that"Fair Go".P.S I wish to offer my condolences to all of free Africa as to the sad loss of "Mama Africa".A gentlewoman who took the plight of poor africans to the world and was heard.Bless you Mama.
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