Online Reporter
Midlands Bureau
HUNDREDS of people from across Shurugwi District converged at the Shurugwi Heroes Shrine on Monday to commemorate Heroes Day, with the event recording what traditional leaders described as an unprecedented turnout.
Shurugwi District Development Coordinator Mr Romeo Shangwe was the guest of honour and delivered the President’s Heroes Day speech, while traditional leaders, Government officials, families of liberation war heroes and members of the community attended the commemorations.
The event was supported by River Valley Group, which provided lunch for more than 1 000 people who attended the commemorations.
The company also prepared 100 food hampers which were distributed to widows and widowers of liberation war heroes.
Among the traditional leaders in attendance were Chief Banga and Chief Nhema.
Shurugwi is home to the grave of late national hero Cde Josiah Magama Tongogara, one of the country’s most prominent liberation war icons.
Chief Banga commended River Valley Group for supporting the commemorations, saying the sponsorship had contributed to the large turnout.
“We have never had such a huge number of people attending the district Heroes Day celebrations. It is a first for Shurugwi and we thank River Valley Group for sponsoring our event,” he said.
River Valley Group chief executive officer Dr Smelly Dube said the company was pleased to support national events and give back to communities where it operates.
“We usually donate food hampers and host a luncheon for widows and widowers of the liberation heroes at provincial level, but this is our second year hosting it at district level,” she said.
Dr Dube said the company’s presence at the commemorations reflected its commitment to the Shurugwi community.
“We operate in the Shurugwi community and this time we decided to be with them on this special day as we join the President and the nation at large in remembering our heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives for us to be who we are today,” she said.
The commemorations provided an opportunity for the Shurugwi community to honour the sacrifices made by the country’s liberation war heroes and heroines and to pass their legacy to future generations.
