Story by ZBC Reporters
ZIMBABWEANS from all walks of life converged at provincial shrines across the country this Monday to mark the 45th Heroes Day anniversary, with the need to continue cherishing the sacrifices of the nation’s liberation icons taking centre stage.
It was song and dance at the Harare Provincial Heroes Acre, as some families of the fallen gallant sons and daughters of the liberation struggle relived the memories of their loved ones through liberation songs.
“We thank the President for the work that has been done here at the provincial heroes acres, from the upkeep of the graves to us, the widows and children. This is commendable, hence today is a celebration for us. Yes, we would love for them to have lived long, but God had other plans, hence we cherish the memories they left us,” a family member noted.
For others, emotions got the best of them as they relived their beloved’s memories.
Meanwhile, at the Gwanda Provincial Shrine in Matabeleland South, families of the departed heroes and heroines concurred on the need to celebrate and honour the immense contributions by the country’s living and fallen heroes.
“It is a sad day, but we choose to celebrate the efforts by our fallen heroes. The presence of the young generation should serve to motivate and instill a shared history that the journey to free Zimbabwe was not an easy walk,” said a family member.
Over in Matabeleland North, the Heroes Day commemorations at the Lupane Provincial Heroes Acre unfolded with solemn dignity and patriotic fervour.
Accompanied by the rituals of inspecting the guard of honour, delivering the President’s Speech, laying of wreaths, and conferring of liberation medals, the event was not only a celebration of national pride but also a moment of deep reflection.
More than one thousand people gathered at the Mashonaland Central Provincial Heroes Acre in Bindura to pay their respects to the heroes who liberated Zimbabwe.
Relatives of departed liberation war heroes, among them the Chigiji and Mavhangira families, took time to pray and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.
Official proceedings were led by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Christopher Magomo, who laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by service chiefs.
Additionally, thousands turned out at the Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre in Mashonaland West, where many commended the infrastructure upgrade underway at the site.
The shrine, upgraded under the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Community Assistance Programme, now boasts newly constructed ablution facilities, a perimeter fence, and improved water reticulation systems.
In a similar vein, the Mashonaland East Provincial Shrine saw the conferment of Independence medals to 200 heroes and heroines of the country’s liberation struggle.
The ceremony was presided over by Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, on behalf of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Some of the liberation fighters who received the medals expressed their gratitude.
“It is very important to be honoured when you are still living. I appreciate what the government has done for us,” War Veteran, Cde Star Chitsaka said.
Meanwhile, at the Midlands Provincial Shrine, it was entertainment galore as thousands of people gathered to commemorate the day.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, read the President’s speech before leading service chiefs in laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
At the Manicaland Provincial Heroes Acre in Mutare, the commemorations came alive with memories and stories.
For families of the departed, protecting the gains of the liberation remains the greatest appreciation for the sacrifices made by freedom fighters.
War veterans believe the commemorations should be an opportunity to connect with history and reaffirm their commitment to defend the gains of the liberation struggle.
Over in Bulawayo, 11-year-old Sinenhlanhla Sibanda stole the show at the Nkulumane Shrine, where the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Judith Ncube, presided over the celebrations.
Clad in war veterans’ gear, Sinenhlanhla, granddaughter of one of the liberation war heroes interred at the shrine, delivered an impressive solidarity speech that left hundreds of people ululating in appreciation of her knowledge of the significance of Heroes Day.
Finally, at the Masvingo Provincial Heroes Acre, hundreds gathered to pay tribute to the fallen.
Among the crowd was the family of Cde William Mandebvu, the latest cadre to be buried at the shrine this year, where 93 others are interred.
For them, the day was deeply personal, surrounded by bittersweet memories.
“This year’s Heroes Day commemorations are so different and very difficult for us as a family. We used to come here with my husband visiting his friends’ graves, but this time, we came with flowers for him,” Ms Christine Kanje, Cde William Mandebvu’s widow, said.
The laying of wreaths at the celebrations was characterised by families performing various traditions in memory of their departed loved ones.
