Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially declared September 15th, his birthday, an annual national public holiday to be known as ‘Munhumutapa Day’. This significant administrative shift was formally published on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, under Statutory Instrument 148 of 2026. The new holiday, named after the 15th- to 18th-century empire royal title, will be observed annually across the country, a move that has sparked considerable debate nationwide. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana has been central to the public discourse surrounding the holiday’s official status, sharing news of the gazette on social media. Critics have reportedly questioned the timing and implications of such a declaration.
Key Players Involved
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Declared September 15th as ‘Munhumutapa Day’, an annual public holiday.
- Nick Mangwana: Government spokesperson who has been instrumental in publicizing the new holiday.
Event Timeline
- September 9, 2026: The declaration was formally published under Statutory Instrument 148 of 2026.
- September 11-12, 2026: News of the declaration widely reported and discussed.
- September 15: The inaugural observance of ‘Munhumutapa Day’ is set to take place.
