Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube in Ma’an Town, China
THE preservation a nation’s history, heritage and honouring national heroes is central to thr safeguarding of a nation’s heritage, Public Service Deputy Minister Mercy Dinha has said.
Deputy Minister Dinha made the remarks following a tour of the Former Residence of Comrade Zhu De in Ma’an Town, Yilong County, Sichuan Province, where she reflected on the importance of preserving the legacy of the country’s liberation heroes and founding figures.
Zhu De was one of the founding leaders of the People’s Republic of China and is remembered for his role in the country’s revolutionary history. During the tour, the Zimbabwean delegation visited his former residence, where he lived for about 14 years with his foster parents, as well as the Zhu De Museum.
The Deputy Minister said the visit had provided important lessons for Zimbabwe on the need to safeguard its cultural heritage and the memory of those who shaped the nation.
“We are honoured to have visited the residence of Zhu De and the Zhu De Museum, which taught us the importance of preserving our culture, our heritage and our heroes.
“Zhu De was one of the founders of the People’s Republic of China, and we have heard about his history, about where he was born and where he stayed,” she said.
The Deputy Minister noted that the manner in which China continues to commemorate its revolutionary leaders, including Mao Zedong and other founding figures, had left a strong impression on the Zimbabwean delegation.
“The heroes, the founders of the People’s Republic of China, are being remembered, their memories and their works are being preserved and cherished by the people of China,” she said.
Dinha said Zimbabwe could strengthen its own efforts to preserve the history of its liberation struggle and honour those who contributed to the country’s independence.
“That is the biggest takeaway, because we in Zimbabwe, I think, have to put more effort into remembering our heroes, remembering our founding fathers of our party, ZANU-PF, and also remembering the heroes who contributed to the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe,” she said.
She pointed to Zimbabwe’s annual Heroes’ Day commemorations and the National Heroes Acre as important platforms for honouring those who made sacrifices during the liberation struggle.
The Deputy Minister said Zimbabwe could go further by preserving not only the burial places of national heroes, but also the places where they lived and the history of their families and contributions.
“We really appreciate and cherish the energy that is put into recognising, remembering and preserving the history of these heroes, as well as the places where they lived and the museums that are being built to remember their works, to remember even their families and to cherish their memories,” she said.
The visit formed part of the Ministerial Seminar for Senior Public Management Officials of Zimbabwe being held in China, providing the Zimbabwean delegation with an opportunity to learn from China’s approach to leadership, development and the preservation of national heritage.
