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THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life thronged the Manicaland Provincial Heroes Acre in Mutare on Monday to cherish the lives of fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from colonial rule.
The mood was ecstatic with the Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, reading the Presidential speech which was well received by those in attendance.
As events progressed some spirit mediums went into trances and began chronicling the liberation war heroes’ laborious journey to free the country from the shackles of colonial bondage.
A light whirlwind swept through the shrine, a sign elders said showed that those laid to rest there were pleased with what was happening that day.
Firebrand dendera musician, Suluman Chimbetu entertained those in attendance together with a litany of choral and other musical group.
Cde Chimene took time to visit each grave and gave relatives of the fallen heroes solidarity messages to continue the legacy of defending the country against new-age facets of colonialism.
Those interviewed at the shrine commented the Department of Museum and Monuments for keeping it in good shape.
They said despite the prevailing harsh economic climate, the department was using the little resources at hand to maintain the provincial shrine.
A public display of pictures of the fallen heroes laid at the shrine was a centre of attraction for all and sundry as people jostled to see the order with which they are buried.
The people of Makoni showed maturity and exuded an exceptional picture of unity by setting aside political disparities and social problems to converge in swelling numbers at the district Heroes’ Acre and Vengere Stadium for this year’s Heroes and Defence Forces’ Day celebrations. Makoni District Administrator, Mr William Mashava, read President Mugabe’s speech at the respective gatherings.
More than 2 000 attended the heroes’ celebrations at the district shrine in Magamba on Monday. The figure rose sharply on Tuesday as more than 20 000 people thronged Vengere Stadium for the Defence Forces’ Day commemorations.
Those who spoke to The Manica Post said they were cognizant of the importance of the event — to commemorate the sacrifices by the heroes and heroines of the country’s liberation struggle.
They paused for sombre reflection as they remembered the sacrifices the heroes and heroines made so that today’s generation can grow and develop.
They acknowledged that the loss of human lives in the years of the liberation struggle was enormous and as the present generation of survivors, they had a moral duty to commemorate the ones who perished on the battlefields.
Sakubva Stadium was also filled to the brim during the Defence Forces’ Day commemorations on Tuesday.
Online Reporter