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THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans yesterday gathered at heroes acres nationwide to honour the gallant sons and daughters who liberated the country from colonial bondage.
The main event was held at the National Heroes Acre in Harare and was led by President Mugabe.
At the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane scores of people from all walks of life converged to honour fallen heroes of the country’s liberation struggle.
Service chiefs, war veterans, senior government officials and families of the heroes and heroines graced the occasion which was officiated by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs (Bulawayo), Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo who also read President Mugabe’s speech.
The Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services Band kept the crowd at the gathering on its feet as they played revolutionary songs, including legend, Simon Chimbetu’s One way.
One Infantry Brigade also gave a sterling performance which was followed by a “toyi toyi” by war veterans led by Cde Molly Mpofu. It was in reminiscence of what used to be done during the liberation struggle.
Following the reading of President Mugabe’s speech, Cde Moyo laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was followed by a performance of the last post by the Zimbabwe National Army Brass Band in respect of our fallen heroes.
Zanu-PF secretary for education Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, ZPCS acting Officer Commanding Matabeleland Region Mairos Jomane, Commander One Infantry Brigade Brigadier-General Thomas Moyo and Assistant Commissioner Lorraine Chipato also attended the commemorations.
Thousands of people attended the Matabeleland North provincial Heroes Day commemorations in Lupane.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ambassador Cain Mathema read the presidential speech before leading service chiefs in laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While touring tombs, Ambassador Mathema promised to improve the state of the provincial shrine.
“Work has started to have the Heroes Acre properly demarcated. We expect all the improvements to be completed before next year’s commemorations,” he said.
Twenty-four liberation war heroes are buried at the provincial shrine.
Matabeleland North Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Cde Jonathan Nkanyezi Sibanda urged government to fast track completion of work at the shrine.
Minister for Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, former Zimbabwe Ambassador to South Africa, Cde Phelekezela Mpoko, senior provincial officials and widows and widowers of the heroes also attended the occasion.
The Midlands Province’s Heroes Acre in Gweru saw one of the biggest gatherings to be witnessed at the shrine in recent years, comprising mainly relatives and friends of the 164 heroes whose remains are interred at the grave site. People started arriving at the venue at around 7AM.
They came from all the corners of the province, some from as far as Mberengwa and Gokwe North.
Service chiefs arrived at around 11AM while the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Jason Machaya arrived at around 11.20 AM.
He read President Mugabe’s speech at around 12PM.
Thereafter, he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before joining the heroes’ families laying wreaths at the respective graves of their departed ones.
At around 2.20PM, families and dignitaries dispersed for lunch which was served at the Gweru Polytechnic College.
Provincial information officer for Midlands, Edwin Moyo said the province had set up centres in all its eight districts for the commemorations.
He said:
“We have a number of centres that have been set up in all the province’s eight districts for the Heroes Day commemorations. There are about six centres for Gweru district, including in areas like Chiundura and Lower Gweru. We have the same number of centres for Kwekwe. People are meeting at these centres as we remember the gallant sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives for us to enjoy the independence we have today. We want to ensure that every person in the Midlands is part of the commemorations.”
In Gweru the heroes’ families were kept entertained by various groups that included upcoming group, Perfect Arts from Gweru, Kwekwe based Five Brigade’s traditional dance group and Midlands Chimurenga Choir.
The Five Brigade traditional dance ensemble kept the crowd captivated with their traditional dances spiced with some entrancing acrobatic choreography.
Youthful art group, Perfect Works, had the crowd in stitches with their renditions and mimicry of yesteryear stars’ works. Some of their works that gave the occasion a light mood include the legendary Paul Matavire’s songs, the late gifted evangelist, Phanuel Chiweshe’s sermons and the controversial artiste, Hosiah Chipanga.
In Masvingo, 47 heroes and heroines lie buried at the provincial shrine where the guest of honour Minister of State for provincial Affairs Cde Kudakwashe Chuma Bhasikiti officiated.
Speaking on the sidelines of the occasion, Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Cde Callisto Gwanetsa said people were not supposed to forget the sacrifices made by those who liberated the country.
“I am happy with the turnout; it shows people of Zimbabwe, Masvingo in particular understand how the liberation struggle was won. This is encouraging and I am urging people of Masvingo not to forget the sacrifices we made to bring this country to its rightful owners,” said Cde Gwanetsa.
Masvingo mayor Clr Hubert Fidze said he values the sacrifices that were made by fallen heroes and saw it fit to join others in celebrating the important day.
“I feel obliged to join hands with other Zimbabweans in commemorating this important day. Its value cannot be overemphasised to every Zimbabwean and as city fathers we ought to commemorate it with others,” said Clr Fidze.
In attendance were 4 Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Chancellor Diye, Officer Commanding Masvingo police, Senior Assistant Commissioner Martha Mofolo, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Chief Staff Officer for Midlands and Masvingo Region Chief Superintendent Simbarashe Moyo, among others.
Entertainment was provided by drum majorettes drawn from local schools, army band, Four Lions, a brass band and Mutimurefu Prison inmates who left people asking for more with their exhilarating cultural dances.
Hundreds of people flooded the Gwanda Provincial Heroes Acre in the Matabeleland South provincial capital where main commemorations are traditionally held. By 9AM, scores of people had already gathered.
The guest of honour, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Abedinico Ncube arrived at the shrine at around 11AM accompanied by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture and Zanu-PF provincial chairman Cde Andrew Langa, service chiefs, Officer Commanding Police Matabeleland South Senior Assistant Commissioner Munyaradzi Goodwills Musariri, ZNA Commander Bulawayo District Zimbabwe Colonel Exebious Vusa Tshuma and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Deputy Officer Commanding Matabeleland Region Chief Superintendent Social Ndanga.
Cde Ncube read the President’s speech at around 11.50AM. Afterwards, he led the laying of the wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier followed by Cde Langa, uniformed forces and representatives of war veterans and ex-detainees.
Later, Cde Ncube led the touring of the grave site where 27 heroes and heroines were laid to rest.
During the tour, he had an opportunity to interact with relatives of the departed heroes while at the same time he briefly narrated the history of some of the fallen heroes and heroines and how they fought for the liberation of the country.
In an interview after the tour, Cde Ncube commended the people for Matabeleland South for maintaining peace and encouraged them to work hard for the development of the country.
“We must remain united and forget about all the negative things the Western countries are saying about Zimbabwe. We need to rally behind our President for our country to be an envy of many. We should not worry ourselves about the sanctions, they are just short-lived,” he said before thanking people for coming to the event in large numbers.
The crowd was fascinated by entertainment provided by Inkovu Roots Traditional Dance Group, Red Dox and Sabiwa Primary School traditional dance group. Impressed by the performance of Inkovu Roots, Cde Langa pledged to source a costume for the group.
Also present at the commemorations were politburo member Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, Gwanda Senator Cde Alma Mkhwebu, Gwanda Central and North MPs, Cdes Edson Gumbo and Madodana Sibanda, Gwanda Mayor Cde Knowledge Ndlovu and acting Provincial Administrator Gladys Zizhou.
Scores of people gathered at Makakavhule District Shrine yesterday to commemorate the country’s 34th Heroes Day commemoration in Beitbridge.
Senator for Beitbridge Cde Tambudzani Mohadi led the celebrations and read the President’s speech.
The main event was attended by over 450 people.
Drum majorettes, traditional dance groups, a soccer match between Maranda FC and Takezawa social clubs and four netballs teams ZRP Shinning Stars, Mighty Stars, Miami Queens and Beitbridge Queens all from the border town added colour to the event.
Among those who attended the commemorations are former Zimbabwean Ambassador to Egypt Aaron Maboyi Ncube and his wife Cde Ruth Maboyi Ncube, Beitbridge town councillors Isaac Guna, Gift Nyoni, Showa Moyo and Sithabisiwe Mulowa,
businesspeople, senior civil servants and Zanu-PF member of the National Consultative Assembly Cde Philip Tshinoni.
derick.khumalo