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Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Star FM employees yesterday toured the National Heroes’ Acre as the nation build up to Heroes’ Day celebrations. The move, according programmes manager Comfort Mbofana, was meant to conscientise the employees of the sacrifices made by the gallant sons and daughters in liberating the country.
“We wanted the staff to have a deeper understanding of our Heroes’ Day. The sacrifices the heroes went through in liberating us. We want even the presenters to know exactly what they talk about when they bring up this subject in their shows,” he said.
The 90-minute tour saw the station’s presenters, marketing personnel, producers, and news cast being headed by an army curator.
He gave the jovial Star FM crew the background of the shrine’s several features bringing out interesting facts like how the shrine was shaped like an AK 47 riffle.
“The Heroes’ Acre was built between 1981 and 1982. Its purpose was to provide a decent place to bury gallant comrades who contributed to the independence of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We have soldiers like Cde Chitepo, Cde Tongogara, Cde Makonese and General Nikita Mangena who died in different African countries but had to be reburied at this structure.
“This shrine is multifaceted and has nationalists, technocrats and the actual soldiers.”
He said technocrats went to Scandinavian countries in search of the academic know-how to liberate the country.
“These also had the money and the brains to support the struggle morally. Their roles are equally important and examples include Herbert and Chris Ishewokunze who used their academic know-how to support the struggle,” he said.
The Star FM crew had a good time during the tour.
Tapiwa Musoni, who is better known on radio as Day Walker was moved by the trip saying it was his first time at the National Heroes’ Acre.
“This was an interesting tour for me on a personal and professional level. I had not been here before and from what we learnt I am now confident to say it on air. Anyone who considers themselves to be Zimbabwean should consider visiting this place,” he said.
Online Reporter