admin
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
HUNDREDS of people this morning converged on the Manicaland Provincial Heroes Acre to celebrate the country’s 43rd anniversary of the National Heroes Day.
Reading President Mnangagwa’s Speech, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyere laid wreaths on the graves of heroes and heroines as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
President Mnangagwa congratulated the people of Zimbabwe for maintaining an unprecedented peaceful and tranquil election season as the country’s harmonised elections draw near.
“This year’s commemorations and the interment of our gallant National Heroes are being held only nine days before our country goes to the Harmonised General Elections. Makorokoto Zimbabwe. Amhlophe Zimbabwe. Congratulations. This is the unity, peace, and harmony that the heroes we are remembering today, including the late Cde Tomana and Cde Siziba would have wanted,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the obligation is on Zimbabweans individually and collectively to leave no room for violence, tribalism, regionalism, hate speech and all other divisive tendencies.
“Our heroes fought for our independence, sovereignty and freedom as a united people. They knew no tribe, region and no clan or totem. In their honour, let us recognise that the right to vote and ideals of democracy, universal suffrage and human rights did not come on a silver platter.
“The obligation is on us, individually and collectively to say No to violence, No to tribalism, No to regionalism, hate speech and all other divisive tendencies. Under Zanu PF, democratic practices, constitutionalism, good governance and the rule of law are being entrenched,” said the President.
He further stated that the 43rd National Heroes Day should embolden every Zimbabwean to carry forward the good work started by the country’s forebearers whose exemplary patriotism and loyalty to the country shall forever remain a beacon of fortitude.
He said the Zanu-PF Government has seen the country realising household and national food security and sovereignty.
“It is a befitting honour to the departed heroes that, collectively, our farmers produced an unprecedented 375 131 metric tonnes from the 2022 Winter Wheat Programme, being the highest produced since 1962, when wheat was first grown in this country.
“Maize output for the 2022/23 season exceeded 2 million metric tonnes. This, coupled with the current expected yields for winter wheat, will usher Zimbabwe as a net exporter of these strategic crops.
“Similarly, production levels of tobacco are record breaking at 291 million kgs. The livestock sector has been resuscitated while more of our farmers are undertaking farming as a business and diversifying into export and agro-value chains,” he said.
He went on to challenge young Zimbabweans to become heroes and take the country to the next level of development while using the Heritage Based Education 5.0 spearheaded by the Second Republic within the Education system.
“The heroes of the First and Second Chimurenga fought in a bloody war in battlefields and delivered the freedom and independence we are enjoying. To leap-frog our country to the next level of development, the onus is on the current generation of our young boys and girls. They are challenged to ride on Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship being advanced by my Government and Heritage Based Education 5.0 to realise their full potential as we build our country,” he said.
President Mnangagwa went on to say the day is a unique and solemn occasion in the history of the country as the country also laid to rest two National Heroes, the late Ambassador Advocate Johannes Tomana and the late Brigadier General (Rtd) Milton Bekithemba Siziba at the National Heroes Acre in Harare today.
“On one hand we are commemorating the 43rd Anniversary of our National Heroes Day. On the other, we are laying to rest gallant sons of Zimbabwe, distinguished patriots and dedicated cadres, who contributed immensely to our nation’s history. The late Ambassador Advocate Johannes Tomana played an indelible part in the transformative justice system of the country, while the late Brigadier General (Rtd) Milton Bekithemba Siziba served as a commander in our war of liberation, within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service,” he said.
Cde Johanne Tomana passed on, on the 6th of August, 2023, at his rural home in Honde Valley, after a short illness. He was 56.
“His passing on, is another huge blow to our nation, especially in the diplomatic and legal fraternity. We grieve over this sad loss.
“As we lay them to rest, we celebrate that the land our heroes fought for is now productive and will forever remain united with the people. The Land Reform is irreversible and behind us. The Zanu PF Government has seen our country realise household and national food security and sovereignty,” he said.
Online Reporter