13 November 2008
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.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2008 Zimbabwe Independent. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
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… [Read Full Text]
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… [Read Full Text]
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… [Read Full Text]
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… [Read Full Text]
Takunya, Mugabe just stole millions of dollars from the Global fund for aid to Zimbabwe and yet you say 'Africa will not tolerate thieving again." Come on. Do you really mean it? So what are you going to do with the thief in your front yard that is Mugabe? You all talk about foreign countries looting Zimbabwe or Africa as a whole, and I say there is no such thing . Why? Because NO foreign nation enters without the knowledge of your leaders. It is your leaders who are so bloody corrupt that they receive kick-backs worth billions… [Read Full Text]
Kjrs120, It is true that 'Africa will not tolerate thieving again.". This was true yesterday, it is true today and will be true tommorrow.
But to answer you directly, I have addressed the issue of the Global Fund in my previous posts but being what you have always been - a propangandist - you will always want to refer to an issue that is a non-issue at all just to satisfy your ego. I will not behave like Awt_independent who tells everybody to ignore what he himself cannont ignore, I will keep on explaining until thick headed Kjrs120 understands.
Money… [Read Full Text]
See all comments (14).
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.