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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau
OVER 30 musicians are tomorrow night expected to perform at a commemorative gala aimed at honouring the late national hero, Cde James Chikerema.
The event is expected to be held at Chikangwe Stadium, located at the heart of Karoi’s oldest high-density suburb, Chikangwe, where music and dance will be used to celebrate the life of the fallen gallant son.
Karoi Town and residents expressed readiness and happiness in hosting the inaugural event to honour the life of a national hero who died in 2006.
“This gala is going to unite us and correct the history of Cde Chikerema. The late hero deserved to have been accorded national hero status when he died,” said Garikai Dickson, a Karoi resident.
“We are delighted to host this gala as I recall, we last hosted one a long time ago. We want to thank President Mnangagwa for according national hero status to Cde Chikerema,” another resident said.
Zimbabwe National Organisation of Association of Residents Trust (ZNOART) executive member, Mr Liberty Chitiya, urged Karoi and Magunje residents to throng the venue in their numbers.
Karoi Mayor, Cllr Abel Matsika, said the town was ready to host the national event which precedes President Mnangagwa’s provincial rally to be held Saturday afternoon in Magunje 30 kilometres southwest of Karoi.
“As Karoi, we have been preparing for the gala since the day of the announcement. We are elated to host an event in honour of the late icon, Cde Chikerema, who was accorded national hero status by President Mnangagwa last year. We pride ourselves in hosting this event,” he said.
“We also have a hotel, lodges and guest houses that can be used by those who will be travelling.”
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and Zanu PF Mashonaland West chairperson Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka was optimistic that the event was going to live to its billing with thousands of people that are going to throng Magunje for President Mnangagwa’s rally expected to attend the gala.
Speaking to the media in Harare, Chief Director- Presidential Communications, Dr Major Anyway Mutambudzi said all systems were ready to go.
“As we move towards Heroes Day, the President has directed that we should as a way of commemorating, welcoming home and celebrating lives of some of these top leaders, we should do as we did after the conferment of national hero’s status to Rev Ndabaningi Sithole, we held a gala in Chipinge.
“You also know the role played by Father Zimbabwe (Cde Joshua Nkomo) in shaping the nation, particularly in the issues to do with unity and aspects of using the land, we held a gala in his rural home in Mapisa in Matabeleland South.
“The Office of the President and Cabinet is going to hold a gala in Karoi to honour and celebrate the life of (Cde) James Robert Dambadza Chikerema this Saturday from 6pm to 6am,” he said.
Some of the artistes who will perform include Mathias Mhere, DT Bio Mudimba, Macheso Boys, Tambaoga, Sulumani Chimbetu, Sabastian Magacha Baba Harare, Enzo Ishall and Jays Marabini among many others drawn from across the country.
Online Reporter