The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi and Tendai Gukutikwa
AS Zimbabwe makes huge strides in building a more prosperous nation, people must emulate yesteryear heroes by marching forward together in peace, unity, love and singleness of purpose, His Excellency President Mnangagwa has said.
The President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), said this in a speech read on his behalf by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyeri, during Heroes’ Day commemorations held on Monday at the Manicaland Provincial Heroes’ Acre in Mutare.
This year’s Heroes’ and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day commemorations came at a time when the Government’s economic reform programme, guided by the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) was bearing fruit with unprecedented success.
“The best way to show our appreciation for the supreme sacrifice paid by our heroes and heroines is to build the modern, industrialised, developed and prosperous society envisaged in the country’s Vision 2030.
“We are a nation of heroes, past and present. We have never let the scale of the challenge defeat us. In honour and remembrance of our heroic comrades from Zambezi to Limpopo and Plumtree to Mutare, we pledge to remain true to their exemplary gallantry and patriotism,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President said the erection of the Mbuya Nehanda Statue in Harare’s Central Business District is in honour of the heroes and heroines of the First and Second Chimurenga, while the momerialisation of liberation battle sites, shrines and restriction camps is well on course in various parts of the country.
Zimbabwe remains committed to infrastructure development, fighting corruption and continuing with the engagement and re-engagement drive, the President said.
People were also urged to continue observing the World Health Organisation guidelines in combating the Covid-19 pandemic, with President Mnangagwa assuring the nation that his Government will continue procuring more vaccines.
President Mnangagwa also noted the economic growth and development trajectory the country is presently on, spurred by a successful agricultural season’s bumper harvest.
Four individuals — Mr Edgars Seenza, Honourable Raymore Machingura, Cde Cosmas Chiringa and Alderman Guy Mutasa — were conferred with medals in different categories of the Commendation Awards as the Second Republic recognised their outstanding service and works that have made impact in society.
These were among the 39 individuals and institutions presented with national honours for their achievements and contributions to the development of the country.
The national honours and awards were for the first time extended to civilians.
Said President Mnangagwa about the awards: “The various awards re-affirm our unique, diverse, resilient and innovative character as the Zimbabwean people against all odds.”
Mr Seenza, who is Manicaland Provincial Development Coordinator, said he felt both honoured and humbled by the award.
He received the Jairos Jiri Humanitarian Award in recognition of his contribution to the Cyclone Idai rescue, relief and recovery efforts when the natural disaster struck in Chimanimani and Chipinge.
Speaking on the sidelines of the commemorations, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association’s national political commissar, Cde Jowell Mureremba hailed President Mnangagwa’s administration for upholding their dignity and honouring them through the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act which seeks to economically empower war veterans.
The 41st Heroes Day celebrations at Manicaland Provincial Heroes Acre were attended by service chiefs, senior Government officials, traditional leaders, Zanu PF provincial leadership, war veterans, war collaborators, ex-detainees and restrictees as well as families of the heroes and heroines interred at the provincial shrine.
The families had an opportunity to honour the fallen gallant sons and daughters of the soil by laying flowers on their graves.
The number of those in attendance was in strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocols.
On Tuesaday, Minister Matsikenyeri, service chiefs and a few Government officials converged at a local hotel for the virtual Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day commemorations.
President Mnangagwa’s speech was broadcasted live on television.
The commemorations were held under the theme: ‘41 years of defence excellence’.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, 3 Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General George Chitsva, said ZDF will continue to offer its excellent service to the community.
“As the country’s defence forces, we are today being remembered and honoured for our excellent service to the community. Apart from building classroom blocks at Chawatama and Charleswood primary schools, we are also rolling out vaccination programmes in Nyanga, Mahenye and Buhera,” he said.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators’ Manicaland chapter provincial chairperson, Cde Angeline Muponda said the day is all about celebrating the role played by the ZDF personnel in protecting and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
