Conflicting Values and the Preservation of Heritage Sites: Case Studies from Masvingo, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

This paper examines how conflicting values surrounding heritage sites compromise heritage preservation efforts. Focusing on the Masvingo Provincial Heroes Acre, Musimbira National Monument, Old Fort Victoria, and the Providential Pass in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, this paper explores how different actors are using the sites, the impact of the use on their preservation and the various ways in which actors can collaborate to preserve the sites. To gain a deeper understanding of the conflicting values associated with heritage sites, site visits, archival research, and semi-structured interviews were employed. The sites were visited in three different years. Archival research involved the use of journal articles and textbooks. A total of thirteen research participants were selected for the study using a purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff from the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), small-scale miners, and farmers with maize fields at Masvingo Provincial Heroes Acre, as well as local communities surrounding Musimbira National Monument. The results of the research indicate that a heritage site can be utilised differently by many people, and this compromises the conservation of the site. The Masvingo Provincial Heroes Acre, Musimbira National Monument, Old Fort Victoria, and the Providential Pass were affected in many ways due to the various activities happening around them. The study also found that little effort is being made to protect the sites from damage. The paper argues that the preservation of heritage sites is of importance, depending on how the sites are valued. The research is essential in that it reflects the various purposes a heritage site serves and the impact on its preservation.