President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe marches alongside the Zimbabwe Defence Forces during his inaugural ceremony after winning a landslide victory over the western-backed opposition MDC on June 27, 2008.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
Herald Reporters
Thousands of Zimbabweans yesterday converged at the National and provincial heroes’ acres countrywide to mark the 30th commemoration of Heroes Day to honour gallant living and departed sons and daughters of the soil who fought for the country’s liberation and development.
The main celebrations were held at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, while provincial governors and resident ministers read President Mugabe’s speech in the other nine provinces.
In the spirit of inclusivity, Home Affairs co-Ministers Kembo Mohadi and Theresa Makone were co-masters of ceremonies at the National Heroes Acre.
However, some senior MDC-T officials were conspicuous by their absence at some provincial commemorations.
The Mbare Chimurenga Choir entertained guests with their hit song "Team", popularly known as "Chimbotongayi Makadaro".
Before presenting his speech, President Mugabe unveiled the epitaph and Coat of Arms on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Present at the National Heroes Acre were Vice President John Landa Nkomo, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Ministers Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe and other senior Government officials.
Speaking to The Herald at the national shrine, Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said: "This is a very important day for the country and generations to come, and the only way we can pay tribute to our heroes and heroines is to live in peace and harmony as Zimbabweans."
Cde Khaya Moyo said Zimbabwe’s Independence was made possible through the sacrifices by tens of thousands of brave sons and daughters of the soil.
"We owe this peace and unity to our heroes. As a country, we must continue to live in peace for the good of our country and its people.
"We all have one surname as a people and that surname is Zimbabwe — so we must not discriminate against each other on the basis of religion and tribe," he said.
Harare Metropolitan Province Governor David Karimanzira said it was important to honour national heroes and heroines.
"Many people died for this country and it was for everyone
and future generations to be free and this day must be respected," he said.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa said it was encouraging that Zimbabweans from different political parties were celebrating the event as one.
"Nation-building requires collective effort and there is no better tribute to our heroes than coming together as Zimbabweans.
"Those who liberated this country did so for us to develop it and this Heroes Day is a platform of convergence and is good for everyone," he said.
In Mashonaland Central, proceedings began with Governor Martin Dinha meeting representatives of the three political parties in the inclusive Government and reminding them of the importance of attending the commemorations.
In Mashonaland West, hundreds of people converged on the Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre.
Governor Faber Chidarikire led a procession that included service chiefs and relatives of fallen heroes to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Relatives of late Dendera music maestro Simon Chimbetu thrilled the crowd with renditions of songs by the man who is one of 25 heroes interred at the shrine.
In Masvingo, the day started with war veterans marching from Pangolin suburb to the provincial shrine.
Accompanying war veterans in the march were drum majorettes and members of the ZNA who brought Mucheke suburb to a halt as scores of onlookers watched the procession.
At the shrines, people were first treated to Chimurenga songs by war veterans and poems from schoolchildren drawn from four primary schools in the city.
Masvingo Governor Titus Maluleke inspected a quarter guard mounted by 4 Brigade.
He met relatives of the 29 heroes and heroines buried at the shrine.
The celebrations continued with soccer and netball tournaments at Mucheke Stadium.
Service chiefs in Manicaland said this year’s provincial celebrations recorded the biggest crowd in years.
There are 148 heroes and heroines interred at the Provincial Heroes Acre.
All MDC-T councillors — including Mutare Mayor Brian James — were conspicuous by their absence.
Manicaland Governor Chris Mushohwe read the President’s speech.
Scores of people in Bulawayo converged on the Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane to commemorate the legacy of the sons and daughters who liberated Zimbabwe. Governor Cain Mathema read the President’s speech.
Entertainment was provided by the ZNA Brass Band, LMG Choir, Khami Prison Choir and poets.
No one from MDC-T attended while Mr Joshua Mhambi, who is the deputy secretary for economic affairs in Professor Authur Mutambara’s MDC, showed up.
People thronged Lupane Heroes Acre in Matabeleland North to commemorate the contributions of their fallen heroes and heroines. Governor Thokozile Mathuthu officiated.
Poems in honour of the departed heroes punctuated the commemorations and the gathering was thrilled when a Grade Six pupil, Nkululeko Nyoni, recited a poem in honour of the fallen heroes entitled "The Special One".
Twenty-three heroes are buried at the Lupane Provincial Heroes Acre.
Hundreds of people thronged Dulibadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge yesterday to commemorate Heroes Day with Beitbridge Senator Cde Tambudzani Mohadi leading the proceedings.
Local schoolchildren, poets, gymnasts and traditional dance groups entertained the crowd.
Scores of Zimbabweans from all walks of life gathered at the Matabeleland South Heroes Acre in Gwanda to commemorate the 30th Heroes Day. Deputy President of the Senate Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu stood in for Matabeleland South Governor Angeline Masuku. The turnout was equally good in Midlands where proceedings took place at the Provincial Heroes Acre in Gweru.
People started arriving at the shrine just after 7am and Governor Jaison Machaya officiated.
War veterans took the crowd down memory lane through revolutionary songs and dance.
A total of 124 heroes and heroines are buried at the Midlands Provincial Heroes Acre.
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