Story by Silibaziso Dlodlo
THE National Heroes Act, which prioritises the welfare of widows, widowers, and orphans of Zimbabwe’s liberation fighters, is being brought into sharper focus through an ongoing government-led sensitisation campaign.
In Bulawayo this Friday, the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, working with the War Veterans Dependents Assistance Board, convened a meeting to educate beneficiaries on their rights and entitlements under the Act. The outreach session formed part of the Second Republic’s broader vision of ensuring that no family of a national hero is left behind.
The initiative was warmly received by war veterans, their widows and children, many of whom had long struggled to navigate the processes around accessing state support.
“I am a widow, and I lost my husband in 2011. We are grateful for the work that the government is doing, especially the PD2 forms,” Anna Moyo said.
“We are looking forward to positive results, and we are excited that our elders are acting regarding our challenges as widows and orphans who lost both parents, and we are excited as Bulawayo,” Chairlady of Bulawayo Province, widow Oppah Ncube noted.
“I am a widow. I lost my husband in 1998. He died before being vetted. This meeting helped because they told us that we will get assistance as stipulated by the National Heroes Act,” Tadziripa Tapera added.
The sensitisation programme is in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of promoting social and economic empowerment of war veterans and their beneficiaries.
“The meeting is to unpack the National Heroes Act, Chapter 10:16, which was promulgated in 2016. Widows were not aware of this Act, whereby some dependents have been covered. Senator Monica Mavhunga sent me through this board to fulfil the mandate of our President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, of leaving no one and no place behind towards Vision 2030,” Commissioner of War Veterans Dependents Assistance Board, Ms Gladys Moyo said.
The sensitisation campaigns are being led by the Heroes Dependents Assistance Board, which was established to maintain a register of national heroes and their dependents and to determine eligibility for state assistance.
