admin
Walter Nyamukondiwa Mashonaland West Bureau
CONSTRUCTION of the Chinhoyi Seven Heroes national monument and field museum is now at an advanced stage with completion expected around June. The monument and field museum are aimed at honouring the seven heroes who pioneered the Second Chimurenga, which led to the country’s independence.
Artworks for the Seven Heroes monument are now complete with only laying of some slates and granite remaining while work on the walkways to the field museum is in progress.
Construction of ancillary services such as ablution facilities and electrification of the site, which is expected to complement water reticulation, was in progress.
In an interview during Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema’s tour of the monument, National Museums and Monument regional director Mr Godhi Bvocho said the project was high priority.
“National Museums and Monuments has included the remaining works under our 100-day cycle and we anticipate that it will be done within the next 90 days starting from March 1,” he said.
“The minister’s previewing is for him to prepare for the official opening which we anticipate will be done by the President. We hope within the next 60 days or so we should have completed works leaving the next 30 days for finishings.”
Minister Mathema said monuments were being erected at various centres of historical significance across the country including at Pupu site where Allan Wilson and Major Wilson were killed by the army led by King Lobengula.
Another site was in Gutu where Chief Gutu, who ran away from prison three times, commanded several battles.
The shrines are expected to be tourist attractions as Government seeks to promote liberation Wwr tourism.
“We are preparing the battle site to what it should be and that is a place where seven gallant sons perished after more than seven hours of battle. It’s a national centre and a heritage site. I was happy to walk around to see the progress and how Chinhoyi has also renamed streets after the heroes,” he said.
“The ideals of the seven heroes are permanent, the debate that went through their mind in the lead-up and during the battle are permanent. Whatever was going through their minds must be reflected at the centre.”
He said Government through the National Museums and Monuments was doing everything to ensure that the country’s history was preserved for future generations.
This comes as Chinhoyi Municipality is pursuing the transformation of Chinhoyi into the City of Heroes in honour of the gallant fighters who have since been named National Heroes.
Town clerk Mr Maxwell Kaitano said Chinhoyi could not ignore the significance of the Chinhoyi Battle in the country’s quest for Independence.
“We are pleased to be part of the process to honour the seven heroes of the Chinhoyi Battle through naming our streets after them. The tone was set already when we named the main road along the Harare-Chirundu highway as Magamba Way,” he said.
Chinhoyi has renamed North Drive to Godfrey Dube, Midway Street (David Guzuzu), Park Street (Arthur Maramba), Montrose (Godwin Manyerenyere), Commercial Street (Simon Chimboza) and Masonic Lane (Chubby Sawana), while Christopher Chatambudza Road remains unchanged.
The street names have white on maroon inscription with the iconic Tomb of the Unknown Soldier emblem preceding the name.
Online Reporter