Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has conferred Independence medals on 50 000 veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, with their names now officially gazetted in recognition of the role they played in the country’s fight for freedom.
The veterans were drawn from all 10 provinces, with their names published in a Government Gazette recently.
The honours cover all categories of freedom fighters, including combatants who fought during the liberation struggle, those who were trained but were not deployed, political prisoners, ex-detainees and other non-combatants.
In an interview, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Minister Monica Mavhunga, said the recognition was befitting given the sacrifices made by freedom fighters to liberate the country.
“It is befitting for His Excellency, the President to confer our freedom fighters with the awards. You will notice that the awards are in respect of all categories, that is both combatants and non-combatants,” she said.
Minister Mavhunga said some freedom fighters physically fought during the war, while others supported the liberation struggle in different ways, including through political activism and enduring imprisonment and detention.
She said the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle could not be adequately compensated through money.
“This means the best way we can do as the Government to acknowledge their role is to confer them with the Independent medals as what we have done,” Minister Mavhunga said.
“This is so because the role they played is unparalleled and immeasurable. You cannot put a monetary value on it because it was a huge sacrifice.”
The awards were granted in terms of the Honours and Awards Act, which provides for the President, as Grand Master of the Order of Merit, to confer national honours and awards.
Minister Mavhunga said Government would continue to honour freedom fighters in accordance with the country’s laws.
The conferment comes shortly after Zimbabwe commemorated Heroes Day on August 10.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme, “Lest We Forget”.
The conferment of the Independence medals is also in line with constitutional provisions for recognising citizens who have made outstanding contributions to national development.
Through its annual honours and awards programme, Government recognises individuals for distinguished service and contributions to the country while preserving the values and ideals associated with the liberation struggle.
