The Sunday News
THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans will tomorrow throng various centres to celebrate Heroes Day and honour those who sacrificed life and limb for the country’s Independence.
The main celebrations are slated for the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare where President Mugabe will deliver a keynote address.
Harare provincial administrator Mr Alfred Tome said the main event would start at 10am and at least 25 buses would ferry Zimbabweans to the National Heroes’ Acre.
“Everything is now in place for the big day on Monday and transport will be available at the usual pick-up points throughout the city,” he said.
Defence Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi told our Harare Bureau yesterday that: “Thousands of young boys and girls put their lives on the line for the freedom and democracy we are enjoying. Hence that day was set aside. This is a day to pay respect to those who fought settler regimes starting from 1896. This includes those who fought through demonstrations, protests and some among us who fought through the barrel of the gun.”
Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators and Former Political Detainees and Restrictees Minister Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa said Heroes Day was set aside to recognise the dedication and sacrifice of those who fought British colonial settler rule.
Ambassador Mutsvangwa said: “Whenever we gather around this time of the year, we need to remember this: it is a story of sacrifice and selflessness that was demonstrated by our comrades who took arms to tear down the Ian Smith regime.
“We should continue to reaffirm the core values of selflessness to pay supreme sacrifice for the good of our people. The bravery of our dead and living heroes to endure the suffering and pains of the settler rules should be honoured.”
In Bulawayo province Heroes Day celebrations will be held at the Heroes Acre in Nkulumane with over 5 000 people expected to grace the event.
The Provincial Administrator, Ms Khonzani Ncube, said all was set for the commemorations.
“All is set for the commemorations and we are expecting over 5 000 people to grace the event at our Nkulumane Provincial Hero’s Acre and we will start at 8am and spend the rest of the day there,” she said.
She said the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Nomthandazo Moyo would be the guest of honour and read the President’s speech.
“The Minister of State for Bulawayo will read the President’s speech and she is also going to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as part of the celebrations,” said Ms Ncube.
The PA said families of fallen heroes would also get the opportunity to lay wreaths on the graves of their departed relatives.
She also said the province was ready to cater for the people that were going to attend the commemorations.
“We are well-prepared on this end, we have prepared transport to ferry all people who are interested in going and this transport is available at the traditional pick up points. We are also going to feed the masses that will come for the event so people must come in numbers as they will be well taken care of during the day,” she added.
On the contentious issue of placing of tombstones on some of the graves, the PA said it was an ongoing process.
“The issue of tombstones I must say is an ongoing process; they will be put gradually as time goes on. We are highly aware of the situation on the ground,” she added.
