Joby RJ Wheatley, a renowned specialist in ancient monument stonework, is on a mission to bring Zimbabwe’s architectural heritage back to life. Having built all six of the UK’s modern Long Barrows—the first such structures in 5,000 years—Wheatley is now focused on revitalizing Zimbabwe’s stone masonry tradition.
Wheatley’s dream is to create “One Million Zim Stones” building structures from stone masonry. He envisions building functional, modern monuments that showcase Zimbabwe’s beauty and inspire future generations. His goal is to train a new generation of Zimbabwean Master Masons, restore ancient ruins, and encourage tourism to the country.
“I’ve seen the work there (at Great Zimbabwe) and it’s very nice,” Wheatley posted on X. “I’m looking to build functional monuments with a variety of applications. The scaled-down replicas of the Great Zimbabwe Tower are wonderful to look at, but I want people to be able to utilize and interact with my work.”
Wheatley has already completed a stonework project in Ruwa, Zimbabwe, demonstrating the durability and longevity of his structures. He believes that by training young Zimbabweans in stone masonry, he can create a legacy that will last for centuries. “So that one day, each of them can train their own team, and so on,” he explained.
Wheatley’s decision to move to Zimbabwe was driven by a powerful dream and his love for his Zimbabwean wife. “Now I have a purpose and that is to teach the next generation of Zimbabwean master masons and build world class monuments to encourage people to visit Zimbabwe,” he said.
Wheatley has received a two-year extension to his residence permit from the Zimbabwean government, signaling their support for his vision. His project has also garnered significant attention and support from Zimbabweans and international audiences.
Many people have expressed admiration for Wheatley’s work and his commitment to preserving Zimbabwe’s heritage. Comments on social media include “This is a great idea,” “Beautiful,” “Stunning,” “Phenomenal work,” and “Incredibly beautiful.” Others have expressed interest in collaborating with Wheatley on their own projects.
Wheatley’s vision is inspiring and ambitious. By training a new generation of Zimbabwean Master Masons and building world-class monuments, he hopes to not only revitalize the country’s architectural heritage but also create a lasting legacy for future generations.
Text: Martin Chemhere
