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Thousands of Zimbabweans cheer President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe on arrival for Heroes Day commemorations at the National Heroes Acre in Harare yesterday

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter—
THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans yesterday thronged the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare and provincial shrines in the other nine provinces to commemorate Heroes’ Day in honour of fallen heroes who fought to liberate Zimbabwe from the shackles of colonial rule.It was a 90-year struggle that culminated in independence and majority rule on April 18, 1980.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantino Guvheya Nyikadzino Chiwenga, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda, Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshall Perrance Shiri, Police Deputy Commissioner-General Levy Sibanda and Commissioner-General of Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Retired Major General Paradzai Zimondi follow proceedings during Heroes Day commemorations at the National Heroes Acre in Harare yesterday

While there were celebrations in other parts of the country, President Mugabe presided over the main event in Harare where he delivered the keynote address.

Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa, Phelekezela Mphoko and their spouses, Government ministers, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, service chiefs, senior Government officials, Zanu-PF supporters, diplomats, members of the Apostolic sect and members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces were among multitudes that attended yesterday’s event.

Proceedings started with bus-loads of people from different parts of the city and it’s environs thronging the national shrine.

Beitbridge Senator Tambudzani Mohadi lays a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Heroes Day celebrations at Makakavule District shrine yesterday

There were thick columns stretching several kilometres along Bulawayo Road as people walked to the national shrine for the event. There was an overflow of people with those who failed to secure places in the terraces, perching themselves on trees, Zaccheus-style, to follow proceedings.

Proceedings started after President Mugabe, accompanied by First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, arrived just before midday. He immediately inspected a quarter guard of honour mounted by the Presidential Guard before the Zimbabwe Republic Police band led the crowd in singing the National Anthem.

Artillery Brigade Soldiers fire a 21-Gun Salute in honour of Heroes at Bindura Provincial Heroes Acre yesterday

Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo was the director of ceremony. There were two fly-pasts during the National Anthem by the Air Force of Zimbabwe, the first by three fighter jets immediately followed by three helicopters.

Thereafter, the Zimbabwe Republic Police chaplin general, Assistant Commissioner Jeremiah Doyce delivered a sermon which castigated some church leaders for dabbling in politics instead of spreading the word.

Suluman Chimbetu and Orchestra Dendera Kings entertain the crowd at Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre where his father and founder of the group Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu lies buried yesterday

Asst Comm Doyce, who based his sermon on Ezekiel 22 v 30 and Isaiah 32 v 22, urged religious leaders to stick to ministering religion and not stray into politics while preaching.

Reverend Paul Damasane recited a revolutionary poem thereafter as President Mugabe to his place in the VVIP tent. President Mugabe got a standing ovation when he rose to deliver his wide-ranging keynote address that centred on keeping the legacy of the revolution alive and defending the gains of independence and sovereignty.

Dutch Ambassador to Zimbabwe Gera Sneller (right) walks past a poster inscribed with a message which denounces foreign meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs

The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF, paid tribute to the security services for ensuring that Zimbabwe remained peaceful. The crowd was treated to entertainment by several choral groups.

The United Methodist Choir put up a sterling performance with its hit song “Mazambara” which brought several people including dignitaries on their feet and singing along. Members of the group left the crowd crying for more with their scintillating dancing routine.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and wife Auxillia follow proceedings at the event

Leaders of the opposition parties serve for Harare Mayor Cllr Bernard Manyenyeni were, however, conspicuous by their absence despite the commemoration being a national event which should ordinarily draw everyone across the political divide.

After his speech, President Mugabe led leaders of Government arms in laying wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown soldier before he visited some graves of fallen heroes among them his first wife, Sally Heyfron Mugabe and Sister Sabina who are among the eight women intered at the national shrine.

President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Dr Grace Mugabe are welcomed by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko at Heroes Day commemorations in Harare yesterday.— (Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Some of those that laid wreaths were National Assembly Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Senate president Cde Edna Madzongwe, Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, former Political detainees and Restrictees Tshinga Dube, service chiefs, among others.

Relatives of national heroes stood by the graves of their dear departed laying wreaths.

But relatives of the late General Solomon Mujuru were conspicouos by their absence even though the late general’s widow, Dr Joice Mujuru, yesterday issued a statement on the occasion of Heroes Day in wihich she sought to cast aspersions on the Government from her trench as leader of the opposition Zimbabwe People First party.

Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association led by Mr Christopher Mutsvangwa, who has of late been consorting with opposition groups following his expulsion from Zanu-PF, were also conspicuous by their absence.

There were several colourful banners with a number of messages among them, “No to Abuse of Social Media,” Residential Stands to the People,” “Sando Dzenyu Magamba,” Ma inputs Kuvanhu Tirime.” Others included “Unity, Peace and Development, Fruits of our Liberation struggle,” You Fought, You Won, Now We Defend,” and “Zimbabwe Ngeyegazi.”