https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230814/zimbabwe-marks-43rd-national-heroes-day-to-mourn-gallant-sons-1061312726.html
Zimbabwe Marks 43rd National Heroes Day to Mourn 'Gallant Sons'
Zimbabwe Marks 43rd National Heroes Day to Mourn 'Gallant Sons'
Sputnik Africa
Zimbabwe is celebrating its 43rd National Heroes Day on Monday, August 14, 2023 under the theme "Remembering Our Heroes – Nyika Inovakwa Nevene vayo/Ilizwe... 14.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-14T13:15+0200
2023-08-14T13:15+0200
2023-08-14T13:15+0200
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National Heroes Day dates back to the early 1980s after Zimbabwe ended white minority rule on April 18, 1980. The holiday was established to honor the brave men and women who fought for Zimbabwe's freedom and sovereignty.The first National Heroes Day was celebrated in 1981, one year after the people of Zimbabwe achieved universal suffrage following the Zimbabwean War of Independence, also known as the Second Chimurenga or Rhodesian Bush War.The conflict pitted three forces against each other: the white minority Rhodesian government of Ian Smith (later the Zimbabwe-Rhodesian government of Bishop Abel Muzorewa); the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA), the military wing of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU); and the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) of Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU).The war ended with a compromise reached at the Lancaster House Agreement in London in December 1979, which led to free elections in which ZANU and ZAPU participated and the formation of the Republic of Zimbabwe under a black-majority government. The UK, which had never recognized Rhodesian independence, briefly imposed direct rule to grant independence as the new country of Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980.Commemoration of 43rd Heroes DayThis year's Heroes Day celebrations in Zimbabwe were preceded by the burial of two national heroes — Ambassador Johannes Tomana and Brigadier-General Milton Siziba (Retired) — at the National Heroes Acre in the capital city of Harare.Ambassador Tomana, who was Zimbabwe's envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo, died on August 6 at his rural home in Honde Valley, Manicaland province, at the age of 56 after a brief illness. Prior to his diplomatic career, Tomana served as attorney general from 2008 to 2013 and as prosecutor general in 2013.Brigadier General Siziba, a former deputy commissioner of prisons, died on August 1 at the age of 71. He had served in the Zimbabwe National Army and the Zimbabwe Prisons Service before being appointed commissioner under the Zimbabwe Defense Forces Commission. He was also a decorated soldier and freedom fighter.While the main event took place at the National Heroes Acre, where President Mnangagwa delivered a speech and laid wreaths at the graves of notable fighters, commemorative events will be held throughout the southern African country's 10 provinces.He added, "The late Ambassador Advocate Johanne Tomana played an indelible part in the transformative justice system of the country, while the late Brigadier General (Rtd) Milton Bekithemba Siziba served as a commander in our war of liberation, within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service."According to local media, the event in Harare also honored three citizens and one organization for their outstanding contributions to the Zimbabwean nation: Dr. Sikhulile Moyo, Ambassador Mary Mubi, Dr. Agnes Mahomva, and the Angel of Hope Foundation.On Monday evening, there will also be a musical concert titled Heroes Day Gala, with several artists performing throughout the night and broadcast live on local television stations. Other activities include flag raising, parades, singing of patriotic songs and visits to monuments and museums commemorating Zimbabwe's heroes and heroines.Zimbabwe Defense Forces DayThe National Heroes Day will be followed by the Zimbabwe Defense Forces Day on Tuesday, August 15, which will celebrate the country's armed forces. The event will be held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare under the theme "Brick by Brick, Stone Upon Stone – Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Creating a Conducive Environment for the Attainment of Vision 2030". Defense Forces Day will showcase the achievements and capabilities of the armed forces and their role in maintaining peace and stability in Zimbabwe and beyond.Zimbabwe's National Heroes Day and Defense Forces Day are two important national days of reflection and inspiration for current and future generations of Zimbabweans to uphold the values and principles of the liberation struggle.
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Zimbabwe Marks 43rd National Heroes Day to Mourn 'Gallant Sons'
Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
Zimbabwe is celebrating its 43rd National Heroes Day on Monday, August 14, 2023 under the theme "Remembering Our Heroes – Nyika Inovakwa Nevene vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo" which means "a nation is built by its people" in the two main local languages, Shona and Ndebele.
National Heroes Day dates back to the early 1980s after Zimbabwe ended white minority rule on April 18, 1980. The holiday was established to honor the brave men and women who fought for Zimbabwe's freedom and sovereignty.
The first National Heroes Day was celebrated in 1981, one year after the people of Zimbabwe achieved universal suffrage following the Zimbabwean War of Independence, also known as the Second Chimurenga or Rhodesian Bush War.
The conflict pitted three forces against each other: the white minority Rhodesian government of Ian Smith (later the Zimbabwe-Rhodesian government of Bishop Abel Muzorewa); the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA), the military wing of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU); and the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) of Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU).
The war ended with a compromise reached at the Lancaster House Agreement in London in December 1979, which led to free elections in which ZANU and ZAPU participated and the formation of the
Republic of Zimbabwe under a black-majority government. The UK, which had never recognized Rhodesian independence, briefly imposed direct rule to grant independence as the new country of Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980.
Commemoration of 43rd Heroes Day
This year's Heroes Day celebrations in Zimbabwe were preceded by the burial of two national heroes — Ambassador Johannes Tomana and Brigadier-General Milton Siziba (Retired) — at the National Heroes Acre in the capital city of Harare.
Ambassador Tomana, who was Zimbabwe's envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo, died on August 6 at his rural home in Honde Valley, Manicaland province, at the age of 56 after a brief illness. Prior to his diplomatic career, Tomana served as attorney general from 2008 to 2013 and as prosecutor general in 2013.
Brigadier General Siziba, a former deputy commissioner of prisons, died on August 1 at the age of 71. He had served in the Zimbabwe National Army and the Zimbabwe Prisons Service before being appointed commissioner under the Zimbabwe Defense Forces Commission. He was also a decorated soldier and freedom fighter.
While the main event took place at the National Heroes Acre, where President
Mnangagwa delivered a speech and laid wreaths at the graves of notable fighters, commemorative events will be held throughout the southern African country's 10 provinces.
"Today is a unique and solemn occasion in the history of our country. On one hand, we are commemorating the 43rd anniversary of our National Heroes Day. On the other, we are laying to rest gallant sons of Zimbabwe, distinguished patriots and dedicated cadres, who contributed immensely to our nation’s history," Mnangagwa said in his speech at the National Heroes Acre.
He added, "The late Ambassador Advocate Johanne Tomana played an indelible part in the transformative justice system of the country, while the late Brigadier General (Rtd) Milton Bekithemba Siziba served as a commander in our war of liberation, within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service."
According to local media, the event in Harare also honored three citizens and one organization for their outstanding contributions to the Zimbabwean nation: Dr. Sikhulile Moyo, Ambassador Mary Mubi, Dr. Agnes Mahomva, and the Angel of Hope Foundation.
On Monday evening, there will also be a musical concert titled Heroes Day Gala, with several artists performing throughout the night and broadcast live on local television stations. Other activities include flag raising, parades, singing of patriotic songs and visits to monuments and museums commemorating Zimbabwe's heroes and heroines.
Zimbabwe Defense Forces Day
The National Heroes Day will be followed by the Zimbabwe Defense Forces Day on Tuesday, August 15, which will celebrate the country's armed forces. The event will be held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare under the theme "Brick by Brick, Stone Upon Stone – Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Creating a Conducive Environment for the Attainment of Vision 2030".
Defense Forces Day will showcase the
achievements and capabilities of the armed forces and their role in maintaining peace and stability in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Zimbabwe's National Heroes Day and Defense Forces Day are two important national days of reflection and inspiration for current and future generations of Zimbabweans to uphold the values and principles of the liberation struggle.
