We invite all Zimbabweans of the Mbari clan and their friends to support this cause.

The purpose of this petition is to respectfully implore the Government of Zimbabwe to restore Chief Mbari’s territory and chieftainship. Chief Mbari’s clan is of the totem Shumba Gurundoro, whose ancestral protocols preside over the land where Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi and other martyrs of the First Chimurenga were executed. This land includes the capital Harare, the citadel of Zimbabwe.

The territory and chieftainship were lost following defeat at the hands of the settlers during the First Chimurenga at the turn of the 19th Century. Among other related events, this defeat led to the colonisation of Zimbabwe.

Mbari’s territory covers greater Harare, Mount Hampden, Mazowe and as further afield as determined by the due delimitation process.  Many iconic places are named after Chief Mbari and his people. Examples are Harare, Mbare, Dzivaresekwa, Mukwati, Makombe, Kaguvi etc.

There should hardly be any contest regarding the self explanatory names of the places that were Mbari’s territory. Some detractors might counter-claim what is deemed Mbari’s territory on some fallacious grounds.

The Zimbabwean government would understand and possibly encourage the traditional rights of every citizen, to belong to a clan under their relevant chief. Mbari’s people, who got scattered all over in other people’s territories are now coming together to reclaim their heritage.

They are making this effort to locate one another for association and to sign this petition, thanks to the communications technology that is now making it possible.

If the issue of Chief Mbari remains unresolved, an identity crisis for the Mbari/Gurundoro people will ensue and this crisis could worsen with time. Sections of the Zimbabwean community bemoan the unfinished business regarding the appeasement of the unsettled spirits arising from the massacres that occurred in that part of the country. 

We believe that if the issue is corrected, it will usher in a period of peace and prosperity where the Shumba Gurundoro people are appropriated their territory. Their identity crisis would come to an end for the current and future generations.  The chief so commissioned would join other chiefs under The National Council of Chiefs, which is an assembly of traditional leaders throughout the Republic of Zimbabwe.

At present, there is no representation of the legendary Chief Mbari.