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Chronicle Reporters—
THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans from all walks of life thronged various venues across the country to commemorate Heroes Day in tribute to the fallen heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from colonial bondage. In Bulawayo, scores of people converged at the Provincial Heroes’ Acre in Nkulumane suburb to pay tribute to the country’s gallant sons and daughters for their supreme sacrifices.
People started trickling in into the venue as early as 8AM, although the occasion officially began shortly after 10AM with a combined brass band comprising the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZCPS) and Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) leading the crowd in singing the National Anthem.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Bulawayo, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, read the President’s speech.
She laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before she was later joined by the acting commander of ZNA One Infantry Brigade, Colonel Mpulaeng Siziba, the officer commanding police in Bulawayo province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba and his counterpart from the ZPCS, Snr Asst Comm Mailos Njomani.
Family members of the heroes and heroines also had an opportunity to lay flowers on the graves of their departed beloved ones.
Some of the relatives of the fallen heroes and heroines who spoke to The Chronicle commended the government for honouring their departed loved ones.
“We really appreciate such a great honour given to our relatives by our government. We know our detractors are certainly not happy with the freedom that we’re enjoying today which is the reason why they decided to impose sanctions on us.
“However, this will not deter us and we’ll continue to defend our country,” said Charles Kamusoro, whose mother, Bessie Kamusoko-Harare, was the first heroine to be buried at the provincial shrine in 1995.
Cherry Sibanda whose husband, Charles Nkomo, was buried at the Nkulumane shrine, also commended the efforts by the government. She called on authorities to improve the state of the provincial heroes’ acre.
The event was marked by scintillating performances from the ZPCS dance band, Rhythms of Revolution and Iluba lemvelo, a local women dance group.
A choral music group comprising war veterans entertained the gathering with splendid choreographed dances and song in praise of the country’s fallen heroes and heroines capturing the mood of the occasion.
Among those who attended the event were Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo, the ruling party’s Politburo member, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and former Zanu-PF Youth Secretary, Cde Absalom Sikhosana.
Senior government officials, war veterans and local residents were also part of the gathering that graced the occasion.
In Matabeleland North, hundreds turned up at the province’s heroes’ acre in Lupane.
Proceedings started early as people from all the seven districts arrived for the commemorations.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Cain Mathema, arrived at 11.30AM. He was accompanied by service chiefs, Colonel Calvin Dube who is Commandant for the School of Infantry, Zimbabwe National Army, Officer Commanding Police in Matabeleland North Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Clement Munoriarwa, and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services’ Superintendent Moddy Mpofu.
Cde Mathema immediately inspected a quarter guard mounted by the Zimbabwe National Army.
After singing of the national anthem Cde Mathema led the crowd in observing a moment of silence in remembrance of the fallen heroes whose remains are buried at different shrines around the country.
Twenty-four heroes and heroines are buried at the Matabeleland North Provincial shrine.
Schoolchildren kept the huge crowd entertained through music and poems all dedicated to the sons and daughters of the land who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the country.
Cde Mathema read President Mugabe’s speech at 12 noon.
Earlier, Cde Mathema had bemoaned the poor state of the provincial shrine and appealed to people from the province to join hands in ensuring the shrine is upgraded.
He said a provincial committee had been formed by his office and that of Zanu-PF provincial chairperson, Cde Richard Moyo, to spearhead resource mobilisation towards sprucing up of the shrine.
Cde Mathema said the shrine needs to be fenced while graves also require upgrading as some do not have tombstones.
“We want this place to be upgraded and have a library so that it tells the history of our country. We have formed a provincial committee with Cde Moyo and we’ll be coming to you seeking your help so that we keep our heroes’ acre attractive,” he said.
After the speech, Cde Mathema laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier. He was followed by service chiefs.
The minister then joined families of the fallen heroes, paying respect at each and every hero’s grave.
Of the 24 graves at the Lupane Provincial shrine, six of them have no tombstones.
Cde Monica Ngwenya, the wife of the late Cde David Ngwenya who was buried at the shrine in February 2007, commended the government for remembering families and widows of liberation heroes.
In Matabeleland South, hundreds of people converged at the provincial heroes’ acre in Gwanda Town to pay tribute to the country’s fallen heroes.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Abednico Ncube, presided over the commemorations.
He read President Mugabe’s speech at 11AM.
The commemorations were attended by service chiefs, provincial administrator, senior government officials, civil servants and people from various walks of life.
Youths entertained the public through song and dance.
The minister also took time to tour the graves of the late heroes, including that of his wife, Tracy.
Relatives of the fallen freedom fighters expressed concern at the state of the provincial heroes’ acre.
They said the area was not properly managed with some of the graves still without tombstones.
Priscilla Mthombeni, 54, whose husband was buried at the shrine six years ago, said his grave still has no tombstone.
Venus Maplanka, 78, also expressed concern over the area’s state of neglect.
She said the shrine was only visited towards Heroes Day for sprucing.
The Minister of State said the province was working on sprucing up the provincial heroes’ acre.
He said his office was working with the National Museum and Monuments of Zimbabwe to source funds for the sprucing up of the shrine.
Cde Ncube said they were working towards erecting tombstones on 10 graves.
In the Midlands, hundreds of people thronged the Midlands Province Heroes Acre in Gweru for the Heroes Day commemorations.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Jason Machaya, read President Mugabe’s speech at about 12PM.
Cde Machaya laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier before taking a tour of the heroes’ acre where he spoke with families of heroes and heroines.
He also gave food hampers and vouchers to the 175 families of the heroes and heroines.
There are 175 heroes and heroines buried at the Midlands Provincial Heroes’ Acre.
Among those buried at the Midlands Shrine is the first Governor for Midlands province, Cde Benson Ndemera and Cde Charlotte Sithabile Msipa, wife to Midlands Governor, Cde Cephas Msipa.
Among those present were Cde Msipa, service chiefs, senior government officials and captains of the industry.
In Masvingo, hundreds turned up at the Provincial Heroes’ Acre to commemorate the 35th edition of Heroes’ Day commemorations yesterday.
Fifty heroes and heroines were buried at the provincial shrine.
Minister of State for provincial affairs, Cde Shuvai Mahofa, inspected a quarter guard mounted by 4.1 Infantry Brigade before reading President Mugabe’s speech at around 12PM.
She then laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier. Families of the departed heroes also took time laying flowers on the graves of their beloved ones.
Speaking on the sidelines of the occasion, Masvingo province’s war veterans vice chairperson, Cde Ignatious Murimbi, expressed gratitude to the people of Masvingo for taking their time to remember both their departed and living heroes.
In attendance were 4 Infantry Brigade Acting Commander, Colonel Michael Mataruke, Officer Commanding Masvingo police, Sr Asst Comm Martha Mofolo, Zimbabwe Prisons and
Correctional Services Chief of Staff Officer for Midlands and Masvingo Region, Chief Superintendent Simbarashe Moyo and Masvingo mayor, Clr Hubert Fidze who is an MDC-T provincial executive member.
Entertainment was provided by drum majorettes drawn from local schools, army band, police and Mutimurefu Prison inmates who left people asking for more with their exhilarating cultural dances.
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