All set for Heroes Day commemorations

THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans are expected to converge at various provincial and district centres across the country today to remember and pay respect to all the gallant sons and daughters of the soil both living and dead.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, whose Ministry is overseeing preparations for commemorations, yesterday said the stage was set for the 36th National Heroes Day celebrations, whose main event will be taking place at the national shrine in Harare.

President Mugabe will lead the main event at the National Heroes Acre.

“It’s all systems go and we are expecting that people will come in their numbers to respect all those who contributed to the independence of this country,” said Minister Kasukuwere.

Minister Kasukuwere said there were many people who died for the country, and the Heroes Day commemorations were one of the many ways of remembering and honouring the sacrifices they made to emancipate the country from the white colonial rule.

He called on all Zimbabweans from all walks of life to support the event. “We are calling upon everybody, the clergy and all citizens to come and join the nation and His Excellency in observing the national heroes day,” said Minister Kasukuwere.

Minister Kasukuwere said the President will visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and interact with relatives of heroes interred at the national shrine.

He said Ministers of State and Provincial Affairs were expected to read the President’s speech in their respective provinces as per tradition.

In Bulawayo, all roads lead to the Provincial Heroes Acre at Nkulumane where the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo, will read the President’s speech.

Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Miriam Chikukwa last Friday said her province was ready for today’s event.

She said people would be ferried from the usual pick-up points to the national shrine. “We are going to have 25 buses for Harare and people are going to be picked from their usual pick-up points,” said Minister Chikukwa.

She said although all provinces were having their commemorations at provincial level, there could be other people who might want to join the President at the main event in Harare.

In respect to that, Minister Chikukwa said each province was allocated a bus to ferry people to Harare. She said the programme was expected to start at 9:30 AM. The police and the defence forces will provide entertainment as well as other invited artistes.

In Masvingo, various activities have been lined up at the provincial capital together with the seven administrative districts across the province.

The main celebrations will be held at Masvingo Provincial Heroes Acre where top Government and Zanu-PF officials led by Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa will be in attendance.

Senator Mahofa yesterday said proceedings to mark Heroes Day will start at 8AM with war veterans marching to the provincial shrine where she will read the President’s speech.

Former Masvingo Governor and Psychomotor Activities Minister Josiah Hungwe will inspect the guard of honour in place of Senator Mahofa who has not fully recovered from ill-health.

Senator Mahofa will then lead in the laying of wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before meeting the relatives of the over 50 heroes and heroines interred at the provincial shrine.

Senator Mahofa said commemorations in Masvingo will be completed by a soccer match penciled for Mucheke Stadium.

The build-up to Heroes Day started on Saturday night with the hosting of Miss Heroes at the Civic Centre in Masvingo