What constitutes heroism? The late Dr Utete is the latest national hero to be buried at the National Heroes Acre
The late Dr Utete is the latest national hero to be buried at the National Heroes Acre

The late Dr Utete is the latest national hero to be buried at the National Heroes Acre

Lovemore Ranga Mataire : Senior Writer

Conferment of heroism on an individual has over the years become an emotive issue with some people advocating the setting up of a national “inclusive” body responsible for according the status to illustrious citizens. However, this kind of advocacy conveniently ignores the fact that the very essence of heroism derives its legitimacy from the liberation struggle waged by two military wings of Zanu (Zanla) and Zapu (Zipra).An inconvenient fact to latter day opposition political parties is that the country’s independence was not given on a silver platter, but was won on the battlefield after 16 years of a bitter war of liberation, which resulted in the deaths of thousands who had committed themselves to the struggle.

Conferment of hero status is thus a great honour bestowed on gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe.

According to “A Guide to the Heroes Acre” first printed in July 1986, heroes are classified in three categories and generally reflect the departed hero’s or heroine’s contribution to the nation. The status is determined by the State on a case by case basis.

The National Heroes Act chapter 10:16, the designation is one by the President “where the President considers that any deceased person who was a citizen of Zimbabwe has deserved well of his country on account of his outstanding, distinctive and distinguished service to Zimbabwe, he may, by notice in the Gazette, designate such a person a national, provincial or district hero of Zimbabwe.”

National hero status is the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual and the recipients are entitled to be buried at the National Heroes Acre.

The other statuses are liberation war hero (formerly provincial hero) and liberation hero (formerly district hero). The former are buried at the National Heroes Acre while the latter are buried at provincial and districts shrines with concurrence of their families.

The shrines were set aside to honour the heroes of Zimbabwe, past, present and future.

These heroes are inclusive of nationalists, freedom fighters and committed supporters of the national liberation struggle who participated in or undertook revolutionary activities that contributed to the final victory and declaration of independence on April, 1980.

These heroes and heroines supported the cause of freedom and justice, endured pain, suffering and brutality with utmost fortitude unto death.

“Some of the heroes and heroines include contemporary and future sons and daughters of Zimbabwe of the same calibre as those fallen whose dedication and commitment to the nation of Zimbabwe justify burial at the sacred shrines,” a part of an editorial note in “A Guide to the Heroes Acre” reads.

To date, 117 heroes are currently buried at the National Heroes Acre with the latest being Dr Charles Utete, the first black chief secretary of Government credited for structuring the current civil service.

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