Thousands celebrate Heroes Day

• Published date: 09 August 2016
• Publication title: The Chronicle

THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans from all walks of life thronged various venues across the country to commemorate Heroes Day. The annual event is used to pay tribute to the fallen heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from colonial rule. In Bulawayo, scores of people converged at the Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane suburb.Although people started trickling to the venue as early as 8am, the proceedings officially began shortly after 11am with a combined brass band comprising the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) leading the crowd in singing the national anthem.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo read the President's speech at 12.21pm. Cde Moyo laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before she was joined by the Commander of ZNA 1 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Augustine Chipwere, the Officer Commanding police in Bulawayo province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba and his counterpart from the ZPCS, Snr Asst Comm Mailos Njomani.

Family members of the heroes and heroines also had an opportunity to lay flowers on the graves of their departed beloved ones. Some of the relatives of the fallen heroes and heroines who spoke to Chronicle commended the Government for honouring fallen liberators.

'We really appreciate the gesture by our Government to honour our relatives who died for this country. We know our detractors are not happy with the freedom that we are enjoying today which is why they decided to impose sanctions on us, but that will not deter us as we will continue to defend our country,' said Mr Charles Kamusoro whose mother was the first heroine to buried at the provincial shrine in 1995.

Ms Moline Sibanda, whose husband was buried at the Nkulumane shrine, also commended the Government. She called on authorities to refurbish the shrine, which is in a poor state. The event was punctuated with scintillating performances from the ZPCS band.

A choral music group comprising war veterans entertained the gathering with superbly choreographed dances capturing the mood of the occasion in praise of the country's fallen heroes and heroines.

Among those who attended the event were the Members of Parliament for all constituencies in Bulawayo. Senior government officials, war veterans and residents also attended the occasion.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Matabeleland North, Cde Cain Mathema, presided over...