Zimpapers Logo

President Mugabe lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, while the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, Vice President Joice Mujuru and Senior Minister of State Simon Khaya Moyo look on at the National Heroes Acre in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Herald Reporters
THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans yesterday thronged various heroes’ acres countrywide to commemorate the 34th anniversary of Heroes Day, with the main celebrations being held at the National Heroes Acre in Harare where President Mugabe led proceedings.
In all 10 provinces, provincial ministers of state represented the President and read his speech to those gathered.

Heroes Day was set aside to honour Zimbabwe’s gallant sons and daughters who fought to liberate the country since the First Chimurenga War of 1896-7.

The National Heroes Acre, built in the shape of the iconic AK47 rifle that was synonymous with Zanla and Zipra guerillas, is home to 109 national heroes — 103 men and six women.

In his address, President Mugabe said the liberation heroes “gave their all” to fight and defeat the unjust settler colonial regime to usher forth independent Zimbabwe.

“As we recall many lives lost, the maimed and scarred lives of survivors of the protracted armed struggle, we indeed have cause to celebrate our sovereign independence and freedom which enabled us to reclaim our cherished land, our national sovereignty, thus promoting and enabling empowerment of our people in the occupation and ownership of their natural resources,” he said.

“Today, let us as a nation, reaffirm the core values that guided our liberation struggle such as the selflessness and that willingness to pay the supreme sacrifice for the greater good of our people; the bravery, courage and resilience and that enduring spirit to suffer hardships for one’s country and finally the unity of purpose to safeguard our culture, customs and nationality.”

The national shrine was filled to capacity as people came by all manner of transport, on foot, bicycles, private cars, public transport and buses specially provided by Government for the occasion.

The crowd went into a frenzy of song and dance when President Mugabe’s motorcade arrived, chanting “Amai, Amai, Amai,” in acknowledgement of the presence of the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe who was recently endorsed by the Zanu-PF Women’s League and the Youth League to lead the women’s wing.

Zanu-PF officials, service chiefs, Harare mayor Mr Bernard Manyenyeni and diplomats were also in attendance.

The crowd displayed posters denouncing sanctions and praising the Government’s economic blue print, Zim-Asset which was crafted to undo over a decade of ruoinous economic sanctions.

Some of the posters read: “So, Mr Obama are your sanctions targeted?”, “Zim-Asset: We know our way to transformation” and “Our independence, sovereignty are not negotiable.”

The Presidential Quarter Guard presented arms before the national anthem accompanied by a fly-past by Air Force of Zimbabwe jets in diamond formation.

After his speech, the President then led dignitaries in laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and below the wall of the rolls of honour.

President Mugabe proceeded to lay wreaths on the graves of his first wife, Sally and sister Sabina.

Families and surviving spouses of departed national heroes also laid wreaths and flowers on the graves of their relatives, with others openly weeping by the gravesides.

The late Vice President Dr Simon Muzenda’s widow, Maud said youths should carry on with the legacy left by the departed heroes.

“They should not be bought to abandon the revolutionary party because they are the future leaders,” she said. “This day is important and the youths should know that some people lost their lives, a lot of blood was spilt to be where we are today.”

People also gathered at the Harare Provincial Heroes Acre where Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Miriam Chikukwa urged the leadership not to forget the families of the departed heroes.

In Mashonaland Central, thousands thronged the provincial heroes acre where guest of honour Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Advocate Martin Dinha read the President’s speech.

He then led delegates to lay wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier at the heroes acre where 51 heroes and heroines are buried.

In Mashonaland East, Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa led the commemorations and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In Masvingo, Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti inspected a quarter guard mounted by soldiers from 4 Infantry Brigade at the provincial heroes acre before proceeding to read the President’s speech.

He also led other leaders and service chiefs in laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

A war veterans’ choir took some on the crowd down memory lane by belting revolutionary songs.

In Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Minister of State Cde Faber Chidarikire presided at the commemorations where the grave of Sungura maestro, Simon Chimbetu, was the centre of attention from people who wanted to greet his young brother Alan and son Suluman.

The Mashonaland West Heroes Acre is at the site of the famous Chinhoyi Battle where seven gallant freedom fighters; David Guzuzu, Arthur Maramba, Christopher Chatambudza, Simon Chingosha Nyandoro, Godfrey Manyerenyere, Godwin Dube and Chubby Savanhu fired the first shots of the Second Chimurenga on April 28, 1966 before engaging the Rhodesian forces in a fierce, eight hour battle.

In Matabeleland South, the provincial commemorations were at Gwanda Provincial Heroes Acre where Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Cde Abedinico Ncube led hundreds of people in the ceremony.

Senator for Beitbridge constituency Cde Tambudzani Mohadi led the commemorations at Makhakavhule heroes’ acre in Beitbridge where she read the president’s speech.

It was pomp and funfare at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane where scores of people from all walks of life converged and were led by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Eunice Sandi Moyo who also read President Mugabe’s speech.

For Matabeleland North, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ambassador Cain Mathema was the guest of honour.

In the Midlands, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Jason Machaya joined relatives and friends of the 164 heroes whose remains are interred at the Midlands Heroes Acre.