Heroes Day preps gather pace

PREPARATIONS for the country’s 38th Heroes and Defence Forces Day celebrations have gathered momentum, an official has said.

In Masvingo Province, the commemorations will be held at the provincial heroes’ acre. Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Fungai Mbetsa said yesterday that the steering committee had started on resource mobilisation.

The national celebrations are slated for Monday and Tuesday.

“This year’s celebrations are going to be unique, given that President Mnangagwa got a fresh mandate to lead the nation. Preparations for the commemorations are already underway,” said Mr Mbetsa.

He said they had lined up a musical show and a beauty pageant at Masvingo’s Charles Austin Theatre on Sunday as a precursor to the big day and were expecting a full house.

“The committee has started mobilising resources for the two days. The Zimbabwe National Army is also ready for the twoday celebrations slated for August 13 and 14.

“The main venue for the Heroes Day is Masvingo Provincial Acre near Mucheke F suburb. The Defence Forces Day celebrations will be held at Mucheke Stadium the following day (Tuesday). We are looking forward to an exciting programme, which will be held under the new dispensation led by President Mnangagwa,” said Mr Mbetsa.

President Mnangagwa won 50,8 percent of the valid votes cast against MDC-Alliance’s Mr Nelson Chamisa’s 44,3 percent in a tightly contented Presidental ballot which saw 23 aspirants participating.

The ruling ZANU-PF won 145 National Assembly seats against the MDC-Alliance’s 63 seats

Mr Chamisa is yet to accept the results, attracting the ire of other principals in the MDC-Alliance.

Independent election observer organisations like ZESN have also exonerated the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission after they released similar results on the Presidential elections.

South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Mr Julius Malema has also urged Mr Chamisa to accept defeat and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.