Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre set for major facelift

Conrad Mupesa, Mashonaland West Bureau

THE Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre, which is in the environs of the site of the famous 1966 seven heroes battle, is expected to undergo a major uplift with the first phase scheduled to be completed within 21 days.

The Chinhoyi Battle, which occurred on April 28, 1966, close to the shrine, involved seven Zimbabwean freedom fighters who engaged in a fierce gun battle against the Rhodesian forces.

The seven heroes who died in the battle are: Christopher Chatambudza, Simon Chingozha, Godwin Dube (also known as Godfrey Manyerenyere), Chubby Sawana, Arthur Maramba, David Guzuzu, and Swazini Ndlovu (also known as Godfrey Dube).

The upgrade is in honour of the seven and other heroes and heroines who were interred at the shrine.

The works commenced today and are being carried out by Wanjin Agriculture Development, a company under the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

Giving the project overview this morning during the ground-breaking ceremony graced by Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo, Lieutenant Colonel Tichaona Masanganise said the uplift will be conducted in three phases.

The first phase involves the erection of a perimeter wall, installation of four 5 000-litre water tanks, lighting, construction of a guard room and revamping of quarter guard saluting dice.

The first phase will also see the construction of state-of-the-art ablution facilities.

“This is going to be done in the next 21 days and we are hopeful that Defence Minister (Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri) or one of our generals will hand over the facilities once the first phase is completed,” he said.

The construction team, Lt Col Masanganise added, would be burning the midnight oil to complete the first phase on time.

The second phase will see the construction of a parlour and revamping of the Seven Heroes Monument located a few hundred metres from the shrine, while the third phase includes the concentration on the upgrade of a 40-ha military cemetery adjacent to the shrine.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Chombo commended Wanjin Agriculture Development for the initiative, which, she said, was going to be a torch bearer for other provincial heroes ‘ upgrade.

“This is one of the good examples of a whole Government and societal approach to building Zimbabwe,” she said.

The upgrade is also expected to see the shrine become a source of information and lure tourists.