Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
FIRST LADY Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday led the Chinhoyi Seven Heroes Valour Run and War Veterans march held in honour of liberation icons who sacrificed their lives during the armed struggle, the youngest aged 13 and the oldest 21.
Dr Mnangagwa led from the front as she joined multitudes of people who turned out for the well-organised run, with Chinhoyi almost coming to a standstill as participants took part in the 21-kilometre, 14km, 7km and 3km races.
Zimbabwe’s decorated war veterans also joined a walkathon from the Seven Heroes Building in Chinhoyi City Centre to the Seven Heroes Monument.
Winners walked away with medals and food hampers.
The Valour run, which has become a key national commemorative event, is held in remembrance of the seven gallant sons whose sacrifice marked the beginning of Zimbabwe’s armed struggle for independence.
The heroes, known as the “Chinhoyi Seven”, were ZANLA guerrilla fighters who played a pivotal role in launching the Second Chimurenga, engaging Rhodesian forces on April 28, 1966.
Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, they held their ground for hours, marking a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
The Valour run, started in 2022, continues to establish itself as a key fixture on Zimbabwe’s national calendar, blending sport, remembrance and community engagement.
This year’s event was held under the theme “Seven brave hearts, 15 million dreams: Celebrating and honouring the sacrifice, bravery and resilience of our heroes”.
The First Lady paid homage to families of the seven heroes before delivering her address.
Addressing the oversubscribed commemorations, the First Lady said the Valour run is more than a sporting event, but a living platform to educate young people on discipline, endurance and sacrifice.
“This Valour run is more than a sporting competition. It is a living classroom for our youth, teaching them values of discipline, endurance and sacrifice; a community celebration, uniting citizens, institutions and athletes in honour of our shared heritage,” she said.
“A platform for wellness in sport and tourism, showcasing Chinhoyi as a destination rich in history, culture and natural beauty. As we run this course today, we symbolically retrace their footsteps, carrying forward the torch of resilience, patriotism and unity of purpose — the unity that they desired this country to have, and which unity remains the cornerstone of the revolutionary party led by all our leaders and currently championed by our President, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.”
Dr Mnangagwa said the event also showcases Chinhoyi as a destination rich in history, culture and natural beauty.
“The seven heroes remind us that freedom is never free. Their bravery in the face of overwhelming odds marked the beginning of Zimbabwe’s armed struggle for independence,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa, who is also the ruling party ZANU PF’s Secretary for Environment and Tourism, said the party’s Politburo had mandated her to lead a team that will look into ways of instituting development projects such as clinics and schools in the villages and districts where the Chinhoyi Seven came from.
She said the ZANU PF Politburo also paid tribute to the gallant sons and commended the holding of the commemorations.
Dr Mnangagwa said the initiative will ensure that communities which produced liberation heroes benefit from permanent symbols of remembrance, while also uplifting livelihoods through development.
The First Lady said the Government and the party had already demonstrated the model through decentralised independence commemorations directed by President Mnangagwa, where clinics and schools were established in areas where key battles were fought.
She cited developments in Matabeleland South province, where clinics or schools were built at Ratanyana in Matobo, Manama Mission in Gwanda and Zezani Mission in Beitbridge.
Dr Mnangagwa said the vision must be extended to all provinces so that every part of Zimbabwe carries visible development footprints linked to the liberation struggle.
The First Lady said the Chinhoyi Seven came from seven different provinces, proving that the armed struggle was national in character, driven by unity of purpose.
“As a mother and a cadre of ZANU PF and a mother of our nation, it is my duty, as indeed it is a duty of all mothers, to wish all children of Zimbabwe to be given decent burials among their beloved ones,” she said.
“This was denied to the gallant sons, and their families were also denied the right to provide a decent burial for their children.”
The heroes were identified as Cde Arthur King Maramba from Manicaland, Cde Godfrey Matsikidze from Masvingo, Cde Christopher B. Chatambudza from Mashonaland West and Cde Simon Chingozha from Mashonaland East. Others are Cde David Guzhuzhu from Mashonaland Central, Cde Chubby Sawana Mutendadzamera from Harare and Cde Godwin Manyerere from Midlands.
Dr Mnangagwa commended researchers who investigated and established the names, villages and districts of origin of the heroes, saying the work restores historical truth and ensures the nation pays tribute not only to the fallen cadres but also to their families and communities.
She also extolled organisers and sponsors for their vision and commitment towards keeping the liberation heritage alive.
Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Minister Monica Mavhunga said the event’s theme is a living reminder that the courage of a few ignited the destiny of many and that the sacrifices of yesterday continue to shape the aspirations of today.
“Today we are not merely participating in a commemorative event; we are retracing the path of courage, resilience and unwavering patriotism. Each step taken today echoes the footsteps of those who chose sacrifice over surrender and freedom over fear. This year’s unified commemoration of the War Veterans march and the Valour run stands as a powerful symbol of national unity and collective remembrance. It reflects the strength that lies in collaboration and the importance of bringing together generations, institutions and communities to honour our shared liberation history,” she said.
Minister Mavhunga said as the Government, they remain committed to ensuring that sacrifices are honoured not only in words but through tangible support and empowerment initiatives.
“We continue to work towards strengthening access to economic opportunities and improving the welfare of all veterans of the liberation struggle.
“This walk also had an important message about health, wellness and the continuity of life,” she said.
Chinhoyi University of Technology Vice Chancellor, who was represented by Dr Nelson Zengeni, said they had embraced the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy and the Skills-Based University Education model across all academic programmes.
“This philosophy ensures that our teaching, research and innovation are firmly rooted in Zimbabwe’s cultural, historical and socio-economic realities. By drawing from our heritage, we empower students to develop practical skills that respond to national needs while preserving our identity and values,” he said.
He said the Chinhoyi Seven Heroes Valour Run and Veterans March is not only a commemorative event but also a living classroom for students, particularly from the School of Hospitality and Tourism, who gained invaluable experiential learning opportunities.
Dr Zengeni said the event offered students practical learning opportunities in destination marketing, event management, innovation through heritage-based solutions and cultural heritage tourism promotion to strengthen Zimbabwe’s tourism development narrative.
“Through their active involvement, our students are not only learning theory but are applying it in practice, thereby embodying the essence of skills-based education.
“This event demonstrates how academia and community can collaborate to preserve heritage, promote tourism and inspire patriotism,” he said.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said the gathering was not only for sporting activities, but also to remember and promote the legacy of forefathers who displayed extraordinary bravery, the Chinhoyi Seven Heroes.
“This event gives us an opportunity to unite as a community, promote good health through sport and educate our young people about values such as courage, commitment and patriotism. At the same time, we are also promoting our province as a place rich in history and capable of attracting tourists,” she said.
Among the top dignitaries that attended were Senate President Cde Mabel Chinomona, ZANU PF Secretary for War Veterans Affairs in the Politburo Cde Douglas Mahiya and Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora.
