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Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter

All is set for Heroes Day commemorations today, with President Mnangagwa presiding over the main event at the National Heroes Acre in Harare while ceremonies will also be held at provincial shrines across the country with Provincial Ministers representing the Head of State. 

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe yesterday said all was in place for the commemorations after visiting the National Heroes Acre to assess preparations.

“As you can see, everything is now in place for the event tomorrow and we call on Zimbabweans to come in their numbers to celebrate the sacrifices by gallant sons and daughters of the soil for the independence we are enjoying today,” he said.

“We also want to thank the President for the developments we are seeing across the country which are a result of our independence. I also want to urge Zimbabweans to remain peaceful even as we prepare for the Sadc Summit which we are hosting and I want to reassure them that the police are on alert to deal with any individuals who want to disturb the peace we are enjoying,” Minister Kazembe said.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said President Mnangagwa would present the national flag to families of 13 national heroes who were conferred the status posthumously.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage wishes to advise the nation that the National Heroes Day Commemorations will be held tomorrow at the National Heroes Acre on Monday 12 August 2024. His Excellency, the President Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa will preside over the event,” reads part of the statement.

“Celebrations shall also be held in all the country’’s provinces with Provincial Ministers expected to represent the President at the various provincial shrines. At tomorrow’s celebrations, the President will hand over national flags to family representatives of 13 national heroes declared posthumously as a tribute to the heroic sacrifices they made for our country.

“His Excellency, the President will also present awards to eight illustrious sons and daughters of the land who made a difference in various fields in our Motherland.”

For the main event at the National Heroes Acre, gates will be opened at 7am while guests are expected to be seated by 8am.

Transport will also be provided from residential areas in Harare to the national shrine.

In a message posted on X on Saturday ahead of Heroes Day commemorations today, President Mnangagwa said it was the duty of every Zimbabwean to ensure that the tradition of respect and remembrance was passed to future generations to honour “the brave men and women whose sacrifices paved the way for our independence”.

“As we mark Heroes Day, we stand united in honouring the brave men and women whose sacrifices paved the way for our independence. Their legacy is the foundation of our nation, and it is our responsibility to ensure that this tradition of respect and remembrance is passed down to future generations,” President Mnangagwa said.

“Our heroes and heroines embodied unity and a deep love for Zimbabwe. It is my hope that today’s youth will carry forward these values, always putting our country first. As we welcome our SADC visitors, let us showcase the warmth and peace that define us as Zimbabweans.

“Together, we remember the past, celebrate the present and build a future rooted in unity and patriotism.”

While the Heroes Day commemorations are associated with sacrifices made by those in liberating the country from colonial rule, some families have also taken the occasion to celebrate the lives of their departed loved ones through traditional and religious ceremonies such as tombstone unveilings and memorial services.