Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu
Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday conferred awards to three distinguished individuals and presented national flags to four families of those declared national heroes posthumously and called on communities to contribute to socio-economic development of the country.
In his address at the National Heroes Acre as the country commemorated its 45th Heroes Day anniversary, the President implored communities to contribute to employment and wealth creation, as well as fostering harmonious and clean environments.
“I call upon all of us, to play our part to spur economic growth, employment and wealth creation opportunities, along with harmonious and clean communities,” said President Mnangagwa.
“The duty to achieve a thriving, industrialised and prosperous economy lies with all of us.”
He said the Government will continue to immortalise and preserve rich liberation war heritage.
“To immortalise the selfless sacrifices made by our forebears, in the struggle for Independence, freedom and democracy, the Second Republic is spearheading various projects across the country,” the President added.
“Sikombela, Whawha, Butcher Camp, Dzapasi and Connemara, are among some of the shrines which have been built up by Government to preserve our rich liberation war heritage.”
The President conferred honours and awards to living and departed heroes for their outstanding accomplishments.
He also presided over the investiture of awards of the Highest Order, which included the Royal Order of Munhumutapa, Silver Cross of Zimbabwe and the Robert Mugabe Commendation Award for Service in Human Capital Development.
Independence medals for eligible veterans of the Liberation Struggle, were also conferred throughout the country.
In recognition of the sterling contribution to national development and unity being made by members of the public sector, some civil servants were conferred with awards for their long service. President Mnangagwa said the Government will continue to preserve national historical and cultural heritage sites, both within and outside the country, while biographies of nationalists have been updated.
“To further foster lasting national consciousness, research has been conducted on Cadres who were posthumously declared National Heroes,” he said.
“These include Cde John Mbedzi, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Lameck Matanda and Cde Jairos Jiri,” he said.
Meanwhile, the biographies of early nationalists and freedom fighters, namely Cdes George Tarcisius Silundika, Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo and Josiah Magama Tongogara, have also been updated.
President Mnangagwa conferred the Zimbabwe International Friendship Award to Professor Vladimir Shubin, a long-time ally during the liberation struggle and former Soviet official.
He also conferred the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Commendation Award for Service in Human Capital Development to Dr Madeline Nyamwanza Makonese, the nation’s first female African medical doctor.
In addition, President Mnangagwa presented teenager, Inasem Chitutu from Bindura the Silver Cross of Zimbabwe for rescuing two children from a burning house.
The President also presented national flags to the families of Cde Benjamin Burombo, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Lameck Francisco Mutanda, Cde John Mbedzi and Cde Jairos Jiri, who were posthumously declared National Heroes.
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