Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
MORE than 300 ZANU PF members, led by the party’s Women’s League, departed Mutare on Wednesday for Mozambique’s Chimoio Shrine, where hundreds of Zimbabwean liberation fighters who perished during the armed struggle are buried.
The delegation, headed by ZANU PF Women’s League Secretary for Women’s Affairs in the Politburo, Cde Mabel Chinomona, includes Women’s League members, children of war veterans and civil servants.
The visit forms part of activities marking Heroes Day and is intended to strengthen young people’s understanding of Zimbabwe’s liberation history and the sacrifices that secured the country’s independence.
Speaking before departure, Cde Chinomona said the pilgrimage was designed to give the younger generation a first-hand appreciation of the liberation struggle by exposing them to sites that played a significant role in Zimbabwe’s fight for freedom.
“We organised this programme because we want our children to learn about our fallen heroes who are buried at Chimoio and understand our history. These are the future leaders of this country and it is important that they appreciate the sacrifices that made Zimbabwe what it is today,” she said.
She said travelling with young people was a deliberate effort to ensure that the country’s liberation legacy is passed from one generation to the next.
“We fought for this nation and we want our children to know what we fought for. They must understand that Zimbabwe should never be a colony again. Our sovereignty and independence came through the sacrifices and commitment of our people,” said Cde Chinomona.
Describing Chimoio as a sacred national heritage site, she said visits to the shrine were important in preserving the memory of those who lost their lives during the liberation struggle.
“It is a sacred place and very important to us. Our children need to see it and understand why we continue to defend our independence. If they do not know where we came from, they may not fully appreciate where we are going,” she said.
Cde Chinomona added that Heroes Day should be more than a ceremonial observance and should inspire reflection on the sacrifices made by liberation fighters.
“Heroes Day is a time to honour and remember our heroes. You cannot be a Zimbabwean without knowing your history. Our liberation heritage must be preserved and passed on to future generations,” she said.
ZANU PF Women’s League Secretary for Administration, Cde Monica Mutsvangwa, praised the initiative, saying it provided a valuable opportunity for young people to connect with an important chapter of the nation’s history.
“I am elated by this programme because it gives us an opportunity to remember those who sacrificed their lives for this country. We must never allow our history to disappear,” she said.
Cde Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe’s liberation history remains central to understanding the country’s journey since independence and the development milestones achieved over the years.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, also welcomed the visit, describing it as a significant step in preserving and promoting Zimbabwe’s liberation heritage.
The pilgrimage comes as the nation prepares to commemorate Heroes Day, when Zimbabweans honour the men and women who sacrificed their lives during the liberation struggle.
Located in central Mozambique, the Chimoio Shrine holds profound significance in Zimbabwe’s history. It commemorates victims of the 1977 Chimoio massacre, when Rhodesian forces launched attacks on refugee and liberation fighter camps, killing hundreds and leaving an indelible mark on the country’s struggle for independence.
