derick.khumalo
Eliah Saushoma
THE Widows Patron for the Provincial Heroes Acres, Cde Molly Mpofu, has commended President Mnangagwa for donating 70 tombstones towards the rehabilitation of graves of liberation war heroes in Bulawayo and rural communities across Matabeleland.
Speaking during a clean-up and rehabilitation exercise at the Nkulumane Provincial Heroes Acre ahead of Heroes Day commemorations on Monday, Cde Mpofu said the donation would help address the long-standing problem of deteriorating and unmarked graves of liberation war heroes.
“We are deeply grateful to His Excellency President Mnangagwa for remembering the families of our departed heroes. The donation of these 70 tombstones will go a long way in rehabilitating graves at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre and those of our heroes who were laid to rest in their respective rural communities,” she said.
Cde Mpofu said the initiative demonstrated Government’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the liberation struggle and ensuring that those who sacrificed their lives for Zimbabwe’s independence were remembered with dignity.
She said rehabilitation of the graves would be carried out in phases, with the most deteriorated graves at the Provincial Heroes Acre receiving priority.
Some of the tombstones have already been distributed to various districts for installation at the graves of liberation war heroes buried in rural communities.
The donation comes as Government and other stakeholders step up preparations for this year’s Heroes Day commemorations, with efforts underway to improve the condition of provincial heroes’ shrines.
Through the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Government has been implementing rehabilitation, maintenance and upgrading projects at Heroes Acres across the country as part of efforts to preserve the country’s liberation heritage.
Heroes Day will be commemorated on Monday, with Zimbabweans expected to gather at national and provincial shrines to honour the country’s liberation war heroes.
