Online Reporter
Zimpapers Writers
THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life yesterday thronged heroes’ shrines across the country to commemorate Heroes Day, paying tribute to Zimbabwe’s gallant sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives in the liberation struggle.
The commemorations, held under the theme “Lest We Forget”, brought together Government officials, members of the security services, war veterans, families of fallen heroes and heroines, traditional leaders and members of the public.
In Bulawayo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube led senior Government officials, including Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, members of the Joint Operations Command and the Zanu-PF provincial leadership led by chairman, Cde Jabulani Sibanda, in paying their respects at Bulawayo Provincial Heroes’ Acre.
The ceremony began with Minister Ncube inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), before she read President Mnangagwa’s Heroes Day speech to multitudes gathered at the shrine, including widows and relatives of fallen heroes and heroines.
Minister Ncube also paid tribute to the late Retired Colonel Petros Khumalo, the only national hero buried at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes’ Acre.
She later toured the graves, starting at the final resting place of Rtd Col Khumalo before proceeding to that of Cde Vincent Mahuzu Ncube, the first liberation hero to be buried at the shrine. He was laid to rest on August 26, 1991.
A prayer was conducted at Rtd Col Khumalo’s graveside before the delegation continued with the tour.
Rtd Col Khumalo, affectionately known by his liberation war nom de guerre, Cde Mpondo, died on January 12, 2003, after battling tuberculosis. He was 63.
Born on December 1, 1940, in the Shabula area of Lupane, Matabeleland North, Cde Khumalo was declared a national hero in recognition of his contribution to the liberation struggle.
There are 1 176 graves at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes’ Acre.
In Matabeleland South, hundreds of people gathered at the provincial shrine in Gwanda to commemorate the day.
Among those in attendance were Industry and Commerce Minister and Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister and Matobo South legislator Edgar Moyo, Members of Parliament, Zanu-PF Politburo and Central Committee members, service chiefs, families of fallen heroes, civil servants and residents.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe arrived at the provincial shrine to a salute from service chiefs before inspecting a Quarter Guard mounted by members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF).
He read President Mnangagwa’s Heroes Day speech before laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He was later joined by service chiefs and representatives of war veterans.
Minister Nguluvhe also visited all 44 graves at the shrine and took time to interact with families of the fallen heroes.
Various groups, including Ufasimba Home of Arts, school traditional dance groups and the Zimbabwe National Army band, entertained the crowd.
In Beitbridge, hundreds of people from across the political divide gathered at the Makakavhule District Heroes’ Acre to mark Heroes Day.
Acting District Development Co-ordinator Mr Jahson Mugodzwa led the proceedings and read the President’s speech.
The event was attended by Government officials, war veterans, civic leaders, residents and officials from Beitbridge
Municipality and Beitbridge Rural District Council.
Among the guests were Beitbridge West legislator Cde Thusani Ndou, Beitbridge mayor Councillor Peter Mafuta and
Beitbridge Rural District Council chairperson Councillor Oscar Chiromo.
The legendary LMG Choir from Matabeleland South entertained the gathering with liberation songs, while other performances came from the Beitbridge-based Revolutionary Choir, The Refugees Band, poets and the Zimbabwe
Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Inmates Performing Arts Group.
Twenty-two heroes are interred at the Beitbridge District shrine.
Speaking on behalf of war veterans, Retired Police Commissioner Percy Ndou urged communities to honour the
legacy of the country’s heroes by actively participating in development and shunning crime.
“We must honour the legacy of both the fallen and living heroes by building our communities and maintaining peace,” he said.
Speaker after speaker also denounced crime and raised concern over drug and substance abuse among young people, calling on parents, schools and community leaders to work together to protect the youth.
The commemorations ended with wreath-laying ceremonies and prayers in honour of those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence.
In Plumtree, hundreds gathered at the Bulilima-Mangwe District Heroes’ Acre to commemorate the day.
Among the dignitaries were Climate, Environment and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu; Deputy Minister of ICT,
Postal and Courier Services and Bulilima legislator Cde Dingumuzi Phuti; Mangwe District Development Co-ordinator Ms Matilda Mlotshwa and her Bulilima counterpart, Mr Onesimo Zogara.
Members of the Joint Operations Command, war veterans, school pupils and residents also attended.
A moment of silence was observed in honour of the fallen heroes and heroines before a wreath-laying ceremony was conducted.
The guest of honour, Mr Zogara, laid the first wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which lies directly in front of the other graves. Representatives of the ZNA, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service and Zanu-PF officials followed.
Families of the deceased heroes and heroines were also given an opportunity to lay flowers at the graves of their loved ones.
Nearly 30 heroes and heroines have been laid to rest at the Bulilima-Mangwe District Heroes’ Acre, located about five kilometres from Plumtree town along Tshankwa Road in Bulilima District.
In Matabeleland North, hundreds of people converged at the Matabeleland North Provincial Heroes’ Acre in Lupane.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo met families of fallen heroes and heroines, some of whom had arrived at the shrine as early as 7AM.
Senior Government officials, Zanu-PF Politburo and Central Committee members, traditional leaders and service chiefs attended the commemorations, with Minister Moyo delivering President Mnangagwa’s address.
In the Midlands Province, the provincial Heroes Day commemorations were held at the provincial shrine in Gweru, with Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube presiding over the proceedings.
Minister Ncube was accompanied by members of the Joint Operations Command, Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairman Cde Edison Chiherenge, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa Jnr, Members of Parliament and senior Government officials.
A total of 288 freedom fighters — comprising 253 heroes and 35 heroines — are interred at the provincial shrine.
Minister Ncube read President Mnangagwa’s speech before laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He also interacted with families and friends of the fallen heroes and heroines during a tour of the shrine.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people from across Shurugwi District converged at the Shurugwi Heroes Shrine at Tongogara, with traditional leaders describing the turnout as unprecedented.
Shurugwi District Development Co-ordinator Mr Romeo Shangwe was the guest of honour and delivered the President’s speech.
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 and distributed 100 food hampers to widows and widowers of liberation war heroes.
Among the traditional leaders in attendance were Chief Mapendere and Chief Banga.
Shurugwi is home to the grave of the late national hero Cde Josiah Magama Tongogara, one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent liberation war icons.
Chief Banga commended River Valley Group for supporting the commemorations, saying its sponsorship had contributed to the unprecedented 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.
Across the country, the commemorations served as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle while also reinforcing calls for national unity, peace, community development and the preservation of the legacy of Zimbabwe’s fallen heroes and heroines.
