Byo ready for Heroes Day celebrations

Oliver Kazunga/Leonard Ncube Chronicle Reporters—
ALL is set for Heroes Day celebrations in Bulawayo today with transport having been provided to ferry people to the provincial heroes’ acre where the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo is expected to deliver the President’s speech. In an interview yesterday, Bulawayo provincial administrator Khonzani Ncube said the province was ready to join the rest of the country in celebrating Heroes Day.

“We’re ready for the celebrations, we’re just waiting for tomorrow (today). We’re celebrating Heroes Day at the provincial shrine. Our programme starts at 7AM. We’ve put in place logistics to transport, feed, and entertain the gathering.

“We’ve about 10 buses and kombis to ferry people and some of the buses have been paid for by the State.”

She said residents should come in their numbers to celebrate the lives of fallen gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who sacrificed for the liberation of the country.

In Matabeleland North, people will be gathered at the provincial heroes acre in Lupane.

Tomorrow people from the province will once again gather at Somhlolo Stadium for the Defence Forces Day.

Provincial Minister of State Cde Cain Mathema will read President Mugabe speech.

Matabeleland North provincial administrator Latiso Dlamini, who chairs the different sub-committees including catering, security, entertainment, transport and fundraising yesterday encouraged people from all the seven districts to “come in their numbers.”

“Everything is in order and our preparations went well despite challenges,” she said adding that because of the prevailing economic challenges, donations came in late.

“Money came in late but all is well now as we’ve three cows donated by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority while some companies have pledged to cook for the VIPs for the two days.

“We’ve received groceries and people should come in their numbers because there’s plenty of food,” she said.

She could however, not be drawn into revealing how much had been raised.

Dlamini said there will be a bus to carry people in Lupane. Members of the Zimbabwe National Army together with various groups from the province will provide entertainment.

In Matabeleland South, the provincial administrator Midard Khumalo said preparations for the commemorations went according to plan and communities have been very supportive.

“The provincial event is also going to be one of our finest. The support has been overwhelming in terms of the food, entertainment and support for other logistics like transport.

“We’re really on top of it now. Starting tomorrow we’ll be at the provincial heroes’ acre and for the Defence Forces Day we’ll be at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda,” he said.

Khumalo said the province has arranged transport to ferry people to the provincial heroes’ acre.

“We’re concentrating on the local people in Gwanda and then we’ll also provide transport to ferry people from the nearby communities outside Gwanda town,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF national spokesperson, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday said the country’s political victory that came in 1980 as a result of a protracted war of liberation should now be complemented by economic transformation through Zim-Asset.

He said the country’s gallant sons and daughters sacrificed their lives to free Zimbabwe from colonial bondage and bring prosperity to its people.

He said Zimbabwe’s fallen heroes deserve accountability and honesty from all Zimbabweans as the nation moves towards economic emancipation.

“The four clusters of Zim-Asset are key to the development of our country and we must all grow the economy. There’s need to source foreign direct investment. We must uproot corruption and adopt clean habits. A corrupt nation is easily perishable.

“Our fallen heroes deserve more accountability from each one of us. Let’s therefore commemorate Heroes Day as well as Defence Forces Day with oneness of purpose,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.

He emphasised the need to uphold unity, peace and development. Cde Moyo said the nation owes all the heroes and heroines lasting gratitude, hence Zimbabweans should celebrate with honour the gallant sons and daughters, dead and alive, who contributed immensely to the liberation of this country as the nation commemorates Heroes Day today.

“Heroes Day is a day for reflection, stock-taking and rededication to the cause of the revolution. Every revolution has leadership, cadres and masses. We can’t in Zimbabwe talk of our freedom and independence without the mention of our iconic leaders, President Mugabe and the late Umdala wethu, Joshua Nkomo, Father Zimbabwe.

“We also dare not forget their close stalwarts during the liberation struggle and thousands of our fallen heroes and heroines who perished for the just cause, freedom. They remain in our hearts and we’ll salute their heroic deeds everlastingly,” said Cde Moyo.