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Patson Chiumia Midlands State University

ZIMBABWEAN youths regard Heroes’ Day holiday as a notable event, which occurs annually in remembrance of the bravery and endurance displayed during the First and Second Chimurenga.

A national hero/heroine is someone who has made significant positive contributions to the growth and development of society and represents all of us.

Being consistently reminded of our heroes/heroines is to know ourselves; our values; our collective history; who we are, and what makes us Zimbabweans.

Acknowledging our heroes/heroines is an acceptance of who we are — our history, heritage and culture.

Among the youths, Heroes’ Day means showing critical awareness of and gratitude for the sacrifice that freedom fighters made in the quest for political freedom, economic emancipation and liberation of all, the youths included.

During the Heroes’ Day commemorations, youths seek inspiration from the exploits of the war of liberation (Chimurenga), especially as they are faced with the struggle for economic independence.

Heroes’ Holiday rejuvenates the spirit of patriotism and nationalism in the youths, through enlightening them on how the gains available today were forcibly acquired from the colonial oppressors through the armed conflict.

The importance of religion during the struggle for independence is also emphasized during the Heroes’ Day commemorations and this suggests that religion could be key in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Heroes’ Day occasion reminds us of the capacity of the youth of that time, how they were able to demonstrate perceptive thinking and even progressed by being determined and innovative. For instance, the freedom fighters were very creative in coming up with ways of creating awareness among the generality of the people in spite of strict surveillance network by the Rhodesian forces.

Examples of this level of creativity encourage the youths to be more determined in overcoming obstacles that confront them today.

The level of sacrifice that the freedom fighters were prepared to make serves as a reminder to today’s youths to detest selfishness and cowardice because those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Zimbabwe did not cross borders in order to seek comfort or refuge.

They, instead, crossed the borders in large numbers in order to seek and acquire modern expertise and techniques in warfare so that they could come back home and free their fellow countrymen from the chains of bondage for no reward.

This is the highest form of patriotism and a practical implementation of Biblical commandment, which states, “Love they neighbour the way you love yourself”.

The importance of the unity of purpose is emphasised during the Heroes’ Day commemorations because during the Second Chimurenga the freedom fighters were united as one, despite being drawn from different regions and ethnic groups in Zimbabwe.

Even when the freedom fighters returned to Zimbabwe, either to find more recruits, to spread revolutionary propaganda or when they finally entered the last leg of the struggle, in every community they passed through, they were treated like children from that community even though none had ever lived in those areas.

This example demonstrates the highest level of unity which needs to be reclaimed and maintained and thus encourage the youths to avoid being misled by elements bent on sowing seeds of disharmony.

“As a historian, Heroes’ Day is a very important in my life,” explained a second year Midlands State University student,” adding: “It reminds of how the former colonial masters exploited and monopolized our resources; how their brutality killed so many of our people indiscriminately.”

An example is the Kamungoma massacre of May 14, 1978 in which Rhodesian forces launched a surprise attack during a nocturnal political mobilization meeting (pungwe) between freedom fighters and villagers. It is regarded as one of the most gruesome acts of cold-blooded butchering of innocent civilians by the Ian Smith regime.

“Heroes’ Day reminds us of how it was impossible to move without passes; and the taxes which were designed to force indigenous Zimbabweans to go and work on farms for a pittance in order to raise money to pay colonial taxes.

“So Heroes’ Day is a crucial occasion.”

A student from Great Zimbabwe University, reflected on the significance and meaning of Heroes’ Day holiday pointing out the need to be grateful for the sacrifices demonstrated by the freedom fighters.

“It was a long period, from 1898 to 1980, it took us to attain our independence.

“So if you can resist and fight for that long and in the end finally attain independence, it means joy, a lot of excitement and national pride.”

The Heroes’ Day holiday affords the youths an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and enables them to choose their role models from among the heroes and heroines of the struggle for Zimbabwe.

The legacy bequeathed the current generation of youths is to safeguard the gains brought about as a result of the selfless sacrifices made by freedom fighters.

The challenge for today’s youths is to continue the fight that was started by those before us, who gave up their lives so that we can count ourselves among the global community of nations and carry ourselves as people with a history full of sacrifices, and one that we are proud of.

Without the sacrifices made by those who participated in the liberation struggle, we would still be foreigners in the land of our forefathers, still captive in varying degrees of enslavement.

Hundreds abandoned their education to go into the newly independent neighbouring countries.

Once there, they realised the stark difference between freedom and the oppression they and their parents were subjected to.

The exposure to what the taste of freedom was in newly independent states fired up the imagination of the freedom fighters and propelled them to achieve similar gains and finally return to a free Zimbabwe.

Internationally, Heroes’ Day is observed in 18 countries that include among others, Angola, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Romania, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Uganda, the United Kingdom, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe Heroes’ Day is commemorated every second Monday of August and is held essentially and critically to remember those who fought and died in the struggle for independence from British colonial rule.