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, provincial and district heroes acres to commemorate the life and works of the illustrious cadres who sacrificed themselves to liberate the country from colonial bondage.
The main celebrations will be held at the national shrine in Harare where President Mugabe, Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces will lead the commemorations. Other celebrations will be held nationwide at provincial heroes acres across the country where provincial governors and resident ministers will read President Mugabe’s speech.
Zanu-PF Politburo Secretary for Education, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu yesterday said this year’s celebration was unique and significant, in a number of ways.
“Heroes Day is important as it is the time as Zimbabweans we should reflect honouring the heroes by doing the best for our country.
“The Heroes celebrations take into account the great strides that we have achieved as a country in education. This shows the benefits of sacrifice of heroes and heroines who fought during the liberation struggle and we recognise their efforts.
“We have also registered improvement in health services. We have also succeeded in reversing the colonial economic imbalance by empowering our citizens through the indigenisation and economic empowerment initiatives so that our people could have total control of their economy and business,” said Dr Ndlovu.
He said the breakthroughs made in the mining sector and improvement in the performance of business in general, were some of the reasons why Zimbabweans must honour their heroes.
As Zimbabwe commemorates Heroes’ Day by remembering those that sacrificed for national freedom and democracy, it is also important for citizens to take stock of the lessons from their experiences over the past 32 years.
The day encapsulates Zimbabwe’s painful story. The struggle for independence was not a stroll in the park as freedom fighters with the support of the general public had to wage a brutal and protracted liberation struggle to end colonialism. Many brave sons and daughters of the soil perished in that struggle but others survived to enjoy the fruits of independence.
All is set for the event in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and Matabeleland North. The commemorations for the Bulawayo Province will be held at the provincial heroes acre in Nkulumane while Lupane Heroes Acre will be the venue for the Matabeleland North Province.
In separate interviews, Governor for Matabeleland North, Sithokozile Mathuthu and Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Resident Minister, Cain Mathema said they were ready for the day.
“We remember the contribution made by our gallant sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives for us to enjoy our political, social and economic freedom. Youths must embrace and guard our national sovereignty”.
“Everything is going well and we have killed two elephants for the commemoration and Ingwebu has pledged to donate 1 000 litres of opaque beer and so many well-wishers have contributed towards the event,” he said.
Governor Mathema said this year’s commemoration would be bigger and better. He said work to spruce up the provincial shrine as well as the site museum had been completed and the area is looking good.
“As people of this nation we believe this is a great honour we can give to our heroes by commemorating them and people must attend this special event,” Governor Mathema said.
He thanked well wishers for their contribution towards the celebration.
In Matabeleland North, Governor Mathuthu said the province had also set a committee comprising members of the public and officials from the provincial administration to spruce up the provincial shrine in Lupane.
“We have cleared and cleaned the area where the commemorations will be held. Many people have pledged to assist us in the commemoration”.
She said Zimbabweans must value such days, as they are special in the history of the country. She urged them to uphold the morals and values that liberation heroes fought for.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda said:
“The major importance is that we have never given up as the people of Zimbabwe and no generation has lost sight of what the previous generation has done to attain freedom.
“As we celebrate Heroes Day it shows us how our ancestors struggled to attain our liberation as we are independent because we fought over dependence to be independent,” he said.
Heroes’ Day is commemorated every second Monday of August every year in honour of people who fought to liberate the country and those who worked for its post-independence development.
Online Reporter