MATOBO NATIONAL PARK CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF CONSERVATION EXCELLENCE

On 12 February, Zimbabwe celebrated a monumental milestone in the history of African environmentalism as Matobo National Park officially marked its 100th anniversary. Established in 1926, Matobo stands as the oldest national park in the country, a sprawling granite wonderland in Matabeleland South that has served as both a sanctuary for endangered wildlife and a silent witness to the passage of human history for a century. This centenary is not merely a celebration of time passed, but a tribute to the unwavering dedication of the rangers, conservationists, and traditional leaders who have laboured to protect this unique landscape.

The park is famously characterized by its dramatic “balancing rocks” and massive granite whaleback dwalas, which have been sculpted by wind and water over millions of years. However, its true value lies in its role as a critical biodiversity stronghold. Matobo is designated as an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) and remains one of the most successful sanctuaries for both black and white rhinoceros in Southern Africa. The rigorous efforts of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority have ensured that, despite global poaching pressures, the rhino population here continues to thrive, offering a beacon of hope for the species’ survival on the continent.

Beyond its biological importance, Matobo National Park is a site of profound cultural significance, which earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2003. It boasts one of the highest concentrations of San rock art in the world, with thousands of individual paintings hidden within its caves and crevices, detailing the lives of the hunter-gatherers who roamed these hills millennia ago. The park is also the final resting place of Cecil John Rhodes at Malindidzimu, known as “World’s View,” a site that continues to provoke reflection on the country’s complex colonial history. For many Zimbabweans, however, the hills remain a sacred space, home to the Njelele shrine and central to the spiritual traditions of the local people.

Central to the park’s success over the last hundred years has been the evolving relationship with the surrounding communities. This milestone highlights the vital importance of community empowerment, ensuring that those living on the fringes of the park benefit directly from tourism and conservation education. By fostering a sense of shared ownership, the park has managed to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and promote sustainable land use. This synergy between nature and people is what defines Matobo as a “living cultural landscape.”

As the sun sets over the iconic silhouette of the Mother and Child rocks, the nation looks forward to another century of preservation. The dedication shown to Matobo’s heritage over the last century is truly inspiring, providing a blueprint for how ancient history and modern conservation can coexist. We wish Matobo National Park many more years of success, ensuring that its granite spires and majestic wildlife continue to inspire generations to come.