Source: ‘LEST WE FORGET.’ Nation gathers to honour liberation heroes – herald
Farirai Machivenyika and Gibson Mhaka Senior Zimpapers Writers
ZIMBABWEANS have been called upon to turn out in their numbers today to mark this year’s Heroes Day commemorations whose main event will be headlined by President Mnangagwa at the National Heroes Acre.
This year’s commemorations are being held under the theme “Lest We Forget”.
Yesterday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Kazembe Kazembe toured the national shrine and expressed satisfaction with preparations ahead of today’s event.
“As you can see our preparations are on course and its all systems go. We therefore urge our people to come out in their numbers as this day is important for us as we commemorate the sacrifices of the people who fought for this country’s independence. We encourage our people to set aside anything they had set aside to do and take time to celebrate those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
“All the logistical arrangements have been made and we are prepared to host our people tomorrow,” Minister Kazembe said.
The Minister added that various entertainment groups have been lined up to perform at the main event ad that include Indosakusa an imbube and gospel music ensemble from Bulawayo, Afro-jazz artist Diana Samukange and Sungura super star, Alick Macheso.
“As I have said we are trying to bring a commemorative and celebratory kind of mood so we encourage our people to come as we honour and remember our gallant sons and daughters. We want to celebrate the victories and successes that came as a result of our independence.
“There are a lot of things we have achieved and managed to do as a country, things that we could not have done without our independence. So, I want to urge people from all walks of life to come so that we celebrate together,” he said.
Minister Kazembe added that other commemorations will be held at provincial and district heroes’ acres while war veterans that took part in the liberation struggle will be awarded independence medals at the provincial commemorations.
Ministers of Provincial Affairs and Devolution will read the President’s speech at their respective ceremonies. Meanwhile, families of national heroes interred at the national shrine took their time yesterday to lay wreaths at the graves of their loved ones.
At the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre, the quiet shrine was abuzz with activity as families cleaned the shrine and polished tombstones ahead of he commemorations today.
Officials from the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), which is the custodian of the provincial shrine, were also on the ground to ensure all was ready for today’s commemorations.
Mrs Chiedzo Ncube (59), widow of the late liberation hero Cde Mbizo Fabian Ncube, who died on April 15, 2022, said Heroes Day brought mixed emotions as it reminded her of both her husband’s sacrifice and the circumstances surrounding his death.
Cde Ncube died in a road accident while returning from work at Mbizo Barracks.
“My husband was involved in an accident while coming from work at Mbizo Barracks. It was very painful. I received a phone call telling me that he had been involved in an accident and that I should go to United Bulawayo Hospitals. When I got there, I was told that he had passed away,” she said.
For Mrs Ncube, Heroes Day therefore carries a deeply personal meaning.
“Although Heroes Day is a time for the nation to remember those who fought for the liberation of this country, for us as families it can also be a painful reminder of the loved ones we lost.
“But today, I am happy that my husband is among the heroes and heroines who are remembered every year during the Heroes Day commemorations. As a family, including my children, grandchildren and other relatives, we will be here to join other families in remembering our fallen heroes tomorrow,” she said.
The commemorations also provide an opportunity for families to appreciate Government’s efforts to preserve the memory of the liberation generation.
Mr Nkosi Moyo (53), son of the late heroine Cde Maria Majama Khumalo, who died on May 2, 2021, expressed gratitude to Government for providing a tombstone for his mother’s grave.
“We want to thank the Government for providing us with a tombstone. It is the Government that did everything for us, and we are happy as a family that our mother will be remembered among other heroes and heroines for the role she played during the liberation struggle,” he said.
Mr Moyo commended the Government for ensuring the shrine remains a revered place.
“As families of heroes and heroines, we appreciate these efforts because they ensure that the sacrifices of our parents are not forgotten,” he said.
For some families, however, the preservation of graves remains a concern, with a number of liberation war heroes and heroines still buried in unmarked graves.
Mrs Norah Mzimbeni (70), widow of the late Cde Nicholas Mathwasa, who died on August 13, 2013, said she was happy that her husband would be remembered on Heroes Day but appealed for assistance to ensure that all graves at the shrine were properly marked.
In Harare Ms Jeniffer Zvinavashe, sister to the late first Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander, General Vitalis Musungwa Gava Zvinavashe, said her brother was a loving person who always wanted to unite their family.
“I feel emotional when I visit this place, because my brother was a loving person who did not discriminate anyone even in our extended family. He treated us equally whether one was an uncle, a niece or a nephew,” she said.
Ms Zvinavashe said she was the first one to meet the late General when he returned home from the liberation war.
The late General Zvinavashe died on March 10, 2009 and was buried at the national shrine.
Ms Dorris Gumbochuma, a granddaughter to the late Noah Gumbochuma, one of the first Zanla cadres to receive military training in the l960s, said she was happy that her grandfather was among those being remembered for their sacrifice during the liberation struggle.
“We grew up hearing stories about his contribution to the country’s liberation and I am happy that the Government recognised his contribution by honouring him as a national hero,” she said.
Mrs Loice Chingono, the widow of the late Major-General Herbet Chingono, who died on March 15, this year, said her family was still coming to terms with their loss.
