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PREPARATIONS for the Heroes and Defence Forces Day commemorations in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces are at an advanced stage, with organising committees expecting a high turnout. In Bulawayo, Governor and Resident Minister for the province Cain Mathema said the mobilisation committee was ready to feed more than 15 000 people.
Heroes Day will be commemorated on Monday with the main function at the National Heroes Acre where President Mugabe will deliver his address.
The Defence Forces Day will be on Tuesday, with the main celebrations at the National Sports Stadium.
In Bulawayo, the Heroes Day commemorations will be at the provincial Heroes’ Acre in Nkulumane, while the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day will be at White City Stadium.
Governor Mathema said preparations for the two events were at an advanced stage and going on well. “Our province is ready for the Heroes and Defence Forces commemorations that will be held next week. Our sub-committees are ready for the two events, where we are expecting to host more than 15 000 people.
“Our sub-committees, which include transport, entertainment, and security, have been in place since June and they are working day in and day out to make the two events a success,” said Governor Mathema.
He said the commemorations for this year were unique as they come at a time when Zanu-PF was celebrating its resounding victory in the harmonised elections held last week.
“We are remembering our heroes at a time when our revolutionary party, Zanu-PF won the 2013 elections. The heroes that we will be celebrating were from Zanu-PF. At that time it was Zapu and Zanu or Zipra and Zanla.
“We therefore want to celebrate our victory as a revolutionary party and respect the heroes that brought independence to this country,” said Governor Mathema.
He commended the people of Bulawayo for voting peacefully during the elections last week. “I would like to thank the people of Bulawayo for displaying political maturity during the elections last week and I encourage them to come in their thousands to remember our heroes. Everyone is invited.
“A number of entertainment activities have been lined up to make the events exciting,” said Governor Mathema.
In Matabeleland South, the provincial committee responsible for all State functions on Monday toured the provincial Heroes Acre in Gwanda Town as part of its preparations for this year’s Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day commemorations.
The team which was led by the provincial administrator, Mr Midard Khumalo, toured the provincial monument to assess its state ahead of the commemorations.
During the tour the team also discussed a number of issues that needed to be taken into consideration.
In an interview after the tour, Mr Khumalo said he was happy with the preparations so far and was optimistic that the commemorations would be a success.
“Preparations are moving smoothly. The venues for the commemorations in all our districts have already been identified. Some districts at times have more than one venue so as to cater for those coming from distant areas.
“The catering committee has a bit of a challenge at the moment but we are hoping people who have always supported us with food donations would continue doing so, but basically, we are ready for this special occasion bearing in mind that we have had a successful exercise in the harmonised elections,” he said.
Mr Khumalo said following the successful holding of the elections, the province was also looking forward to the same spirit of oneness in preparation for the Heroes and Defence Forces events.
“We are hoping the spirit of peace, the tolerance levels that have prevailed would continue into the commemorations,” he said.
Mr Khumalo said groups to provide entertainment for the events had already been identified.
A total of 26 heroes who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country were buried at the Matabeleland South provincial Heroes Acre.
Online Reporter