Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke-Herald Correspondent
PREPARATIONS for the 46th Independence Day national commemorations are at an advanced stage, with Ratanyana expected to take centre stage as the main highlight of this year’s celebrations.
The historic site at the centre of this year’s national celebrations, Ratanyana in Matabeleland South, commemorates 10 ZIPRA cadres and four children killed in an ambush by Rhodesian forces on February 11, 1979.
It has undergone extensive upgrading as part of Government’s legacy projects.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi said works at Ratanyana were now in their final phase. “Most of the projects are about 99 percent complete. What remains are largely final touches to ensure everything is in place by Independence,” said Ambassador Faranisi.
Ratanyana, a former battle site where several combatants lost their lives, has been prioritised as a key commemorative centre to honour fallen heroes. A monument has been erected alongside a site museum to provide historical context to visitors. “As you know, Ratanyana is a battle site where we lost a number of our proud combatants. We have constructed a monument to honour and remember them,” he said.
“Apart from the monument, there is a site museum and ablution facilities to ensure that when people visit, they understand exactly what transpired in that area.”
Historical records indicate that Zipra regional commander for Southern Front 3 (SF3), Cde Adam Dube, whose pseudo name was Cde Mphini, and his escort section were cornered by Rhodesian forces, leading to a fierce battle that reportedly raged from around 9am to after 4pm.
In the aftermath, four minor children; Nokuthula Ndlovu, Thandekile Moyo, Sixoliso Dube and Mqalisi Ndlovu were fatally shot in crossfire.
Ambassador Faranisi said Government had also upgraded the graves of the four children. “At that same site, there were four children who were unfortunately killed during that battle. We have upgraded that section with proper narration of what happened, so that their story is preserved,” he said.
