By Patience Rashai

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Zimbabweans to remain united, guided by the rich history binding both present and departed heroes and heroines of the country, especially now when the country is being confronted with detractors intending to siphon the country of its natural resources.

In a televised national address from State House, this Monday, the President said that he was addressing the nation virtually in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines against congregating, faced with the COVID 19 disease.

“Today’s 40th National Heroes Day Anniversary celebrations are regrettably being held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, our event today will not have the usual fanfare as we have to be in compliance with the World Health Organisation’s Guidelines.

“Be that as it may, our commemorations are uniquely significant in that we are combining the recognition of heroes and heroines of both the First and Second Chimurenga/Umvukhela.

“In this regard, the mounting of the Statue of Mbuya Nehanda in Harare, our Capital City, will immortalise the supreme sacrifice that was paid by our forebears,” he said.

This exercise, was however on-going, with plans afoot to honour other heroes and heroines from early wars of resistance in a similar manner.

“Among them, General Mtshane Khumalo, who commanded the Imbizo Regiment, under King Lobengula, that defeated the Allan Wilson Patrol at the Battle of Pupu on 10 December, 1893,” he added.

Other distinguished heroes and heroines of the First Chimurenga/ Umvukhela such as Sekuru Kaguvi, Chaminuka, Mkwati, Queen Lozikeyi Khumalo, Chinengundu, Mashayamombe, Mgandani Dlodlo, Chiwashira, Muchecheterwa, Chingaira Makoni, and Mapondera, among others, were in the pipeline to be accorded due recognition.

From the Second Chimurenga/ Umvukhela, the late General Josiah Magama Tongogara and General Alfred Nikita Mangena, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Cde Joshua Mqhabuko Nkomo and Cde Simon Vengesai Muzenda, among others, will also be honoured.

President Mnangagwa then chronicled the programmes which the Second Republic has since embarked on, in its quest to improve the economy. These range from re-engagement, the Agriculture Recovery Plan, Strategic Roadmap towards attaining the US$12 billion mining sector by 2023, Zimbabwe National Industrialisation Policy Framework which focuses on the resuscitation of industry, among other programmes.

He added that the Devolution Policy, the Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy launched last week would also result in a broader geographical spread of tourism development, while the devolution policy would enhance the democratic participation of most communities in decision making.

His Excellency echoed the need to remember our past and assured that his administration was in the process of expediting the documentation of the liberation struggle and associated historical heritage, as part of allowing Zimbabwe to sell its true story.

“A list of national monuments is under review to include liberation war shrines such as the 1893 Pupu Shrine, the 1966 Chinhoyi battle site and the Kamugoma massacre site of 1978, in Masvingo,” he said.

Other sites such as the National and Provincial Heroes’ Acres, Assembly Points as well as former detention and restriction centres have also been made national monuments.

The President implored Zimbabweans to hold Heroes Day dearly to their hearts as it prompts us to pay tribute to the countrymen and women who paid the supreme sacrifice for the liberation of our country.

He however castigated divisive falsehoods and concoctions by renegades and supremacists who want to pounce on the country’s natural resources saying that they would never win as the nation was bound by a rich history which draws lessons from the departed, who since the 1890s, united and showed resilience in their gallant fight against oppressive forces.

As part of this year’s commemorations, the Second Edition of the Honours and Awards Booklet will be published under the theme “Celebrating 40 Years of Independence and Democracy under the Second Republic”.