Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe will continue with the culture of honouring and celebrating its heroes and heroines given their immense contribution to the country’s liberation struggle.
On Monday, Zimbabweans will be commemorating Heroes Day and reflecting on the days gone by when men and women, including young boys and girls, were up in arms with the colonial regime.
Their sacrifice brought an independent Zimbabwe and their role remains forever cherished.
In an interview with ZBC News at State House this Saturday, the Head of State said the Heroes Day commemorations are a time of reflection on the sacrifices made and the journey travelled to attain independence. He said the tradition of honouring them must be passed on to each new generation.
“Our Heroes Day is a time when we commemorate our colleagues who have since gone, who contributed and sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom we enjoy today. So, it is critically important that we continue to remember them, which is why we have put aside this day. Generation after generation, we have to keep this history alive that we travelled on a journey where our sons and daughters sacrificed for us to be free for us to enjoy democracy. Again today, as the current leadership of this country we will keep this tradition and we will pass it on so that we continue to remember the journey we have travelled,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the younger generation should know that the country’s late and living heroes and heroines were united and respected each other.
He said he and others would like the younger generation to also continue being united and put their country first.
He added, “I would wish that you, the younger generation, those of us and my colleagues who have gone, know that we were united, we respected each other, we loved our motherland Zimbabwe. I believe that we shall sleep in our graves with peace if you, our younger generation, continue to be united and love your country first and foremost before you admire skyscrapers in other countries, then we shall sleep forever and ever and not come back.”
President Mnangagwa says he believes the departed heroes and heroines would be happy with the country’s development trajectory.
“I believe today if Tongogara comes and stands here, he will shake my hand and say Friend, you continued with the revolution, to its very end and I can see how you are building the country, if I go back to the grave I will never come back to the living again.”
Meanwhile, the President has once again rallied Zimbabweans to welcome the SADC visitors with warmth.
He said the country’s citizens must display a culture of peace which is a landmark of Zimbabwean people.
“We have been honoured by the region to host the SADC summit. I appealed to our people to show warmth and welcome. Let’s display a culture of peace which is a landmark and character of the Zimbabwean people so that when our visitors go back, they go back with memories of happiness and peace. I have no doubt our visitors will enjoy their visit to Zimbabwe,” said the President.
Zimbabwe is hosting the 44th SADC summit this August, during which President Mnangagwa will assume chairmanship of the regional bloc taking over from Angola’s President Joao Lorenco.
