Bumper Heroes Day commemorations back

07 Aug, 2022 - 00:08 0 Views
Bumper Heroes Day commemorations back

The Sunday Mail

Sunday Mail Reporters

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will tomorrow preside over the first bumper Heroes Day commemorations in two years as the country starts reaping rewards of an effective Covid-19 vaccination drive.

Zimbabweans will therefore have an opportunity to enjoy the ceremonial pageantry associated with the colourful festivities, whose main celebrations will be at the National Heroes’ Acre.

In the past two years, health protocols and guidelines meant Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day events had to be scaled back.

Last year’s hybrid event had limited dignitaries joining President Mnangagwa at State House, while provincial ministers followed the same guidelines countrywide.

Many Zimbabweans, however, followed proceedings from various media platforms.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Mr Aaron Nhepera said commemorations would be “replicated across all provinces”.

“The main celebrations, which will be presided over by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa, will be at the National Heroes Acre, although this will be replicated across all provinces,” he said.

“Part of the programme involves the handing over of flags to families of national heroes and heroines who did not have the opportunity to receive them from His Excellency, President Dr E.D Mnangagwa.

“For the second year running, this year’s commemorations will also see His Excellency, Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa, conferring honours and awards to deserving recipients.”

The Sunday Mail understands invitations have been sent to all political parties.

Tomorrow’s Heroes Day celebrations are unique in that they are the first to be held after the Government completed vetting war collaborators.

They also come at a time when the ruling party, ZANU PF, has established a specific wing for liberation war heroes, the War Veterans League.

ZANU PF secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu said the establishment of the wing was a sign that those who played a role in the liberation struggle were still critical in shaping the destiny of post-independence Zimbabwe.

“We feel this will give more significance to the role that our comrades played,” he said.

Professor Charles Pfukwa said tomorrow’s gathering present an opportunity for the country to reflect on its gallant past.

“Some of us view it as an important day to remember the sacrifices made and significantly reminds us of a generation which never made it back to see our Independence and sacrificed their youthfulness and time for what we have today. Getting us out of colonialism and bondage required a high degree of sacrifice,” he said.

“President Mnangagwa is the soul and face of the nation. He carries with him the aspirations and agony of the nation, both the past and the present. He symbolises the spirit of the nation, so setting time aside is important and we should take the speech he gives seriously.”

Government will this year not limit the number of people attending the Heroes Day commemorations and has dispatched 20 buses across the country to ferry relatives of heroes buried at the national shrine to attend the main event in Harare.

Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Mr Aaron Nhepera however said strict Covid-19 protocols will be adhered to.

“Everyone is welcome to this year’s commemorations. We are not limiting the number of people at the shrine,” he said.

“However we will still adhere to the Covid-19 protocols so one needs to be inoculated to attend, mask up and to sanitise.”

Mr Nhepera said relatives of heroes buried at the national shrine have been invited to attend commemorations in Harare.

“We have invited five family members of each hero or heroine who lies at the national shrine to attend this year’s commemorations in Harare,” he added.

“There are 20 buses, five have been dispatched to Matabeleland and Midlands to ferry the relatives to Harare while the other buses will be used to ferry people from other provinces.

“On Monday (tomorrow) the 20 buses will be used to ferry the relatives to the national shrine from their booked accommodations.”

At a recent Cabinet meeting, it was resolved that Government will provide 50 buses for the celebrations in Harare, while two buses each will be availed to ferry the public to provincial venues.

Buses will also be provided to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (four), Zimbabwe Republic Police (four), and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (four) to ferry their members to the venue.

Political analyst Dr Gift Gwindingwe said the awards set to be given to a number of deserving citizens by President Mnangagwa are a reminder of the importance of remembering society’s heroes while they are still living.

“We should not only recognise people when they are gone, so this kind of recognition is important,” he said.

On Tuesday, Zimbabwe will also commemorate Defence Forces Day, which will run under the theme “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Creating a Conducive Environment for the Attainment of Vision 2030.”

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