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President Mnangagwa led the nation yesterday in commemorating Heroes Day.
He officiated at the national event at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare while ministers of state led proceedings at the 10 provincial centres countrywide.
Heroes Day is meant to recognise the immense roles that were played by leading figures in national development. It celebrates the roles of not only departed heroes, but also those that are still alive for their various roles important for the development of the country.
As usual, the nation commemorates Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Day today, a day after Heroes Day. Today recognises the huge role that the defence sector plays in defending the country’s territorial integrity, national interest and in general national development.
A handful of citizens physically attended the event at various national shrines across the country yesterday while the rest of the nation followed proceedings from home. Yesterday’s event was attended by 200 fully vaccinated citizens who also tested negative for Covid-19.
The President also honoured several pre- and post-independence heroes and heroines for their illustrious contributions towards liberating and developing Zimbabwe.
In a statement ahead of the two national events, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said it was important to observe the Heroes Day and Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Day as it is a recognition of sacrifices made in liberating and maintaining peace in the country.
“We laud our leadership in the ruling party and Government for the resilience, resolve and tenacity evident in the preservation of the gains for which many within the ranks of our liberators paid the ultimate price.
“The two events are, once again being held in a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe which the heroic sons and daughters, inclusive of the founding and current leadership, liberated from the shackles of colonial bondage,” said Dr Sibanda.
“We draw inspiration from the leadership of the Second Republic for strengthening the bond of unity that has preserved the independence and territorial integrity which the Defence Forces have jealously guarded and defended from the early days to modern times.”
He saluted the ZDF for safeguarding peace and security in the country.
Dr Sibanda said the military has embarked on several projects to transform communities even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Their community assistance programme has seen the country benefiting from their construction of schools, clinics, and bridges. Although they have not been spared by the Covid-19 pandemic, they continue to contribute to the manufacture of critical equipment and accessories to fight the disease. Above all, they are leading the vaccination programme starting from rural areas, and constitute a significant part of the staff in the fight against the deadly pandemic,” said Dr Sibanda.
President Mnangagwa, also the Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF, today leads the country in marking ZDF Day.
He presides over the national event at State House in Harare, unlike in the past when the event was held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare. Consistent with Covid-19 prevention protocols, today’s event will be physically attended by a few fully vaccinated, Covid-19 negative people.
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