Source: Heroes Day keeps liberation values alive – herald
Joseph Madzimure
ZANU PF National Secretary for War Veterans, Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees, Cde Douglas Mahiya, has called on Zimbabweans to uphold the true meaning of Heroes Day.
In an interview, Cde Mahiya said the upcoming annual commemoration should be viewed as a solemn tribute to the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle.
He said it should also be a time to reflect on the values that shaped Zimbabwe’s history rather than being treated merely as another public holiday.
“These gatherings are not only symbolic but also functional, and they bring together communities, leaders, youths, war veterans and religious groups in a shared reflection on the past and a collective commitment to national progress,” said Cde Mahiya.
Cde Mahiya said the provincial approach to Heroes Day reflects inclusivity, allowing each region to recognise its local heroes and celebrate its unique contribution to the liberation struggle and post-independence development.
“The decentralisation also gives room to blend cultural pride, local history and patriotic symbolism,” he said.
Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, the meaning of heroism has been expanded.
While respecting traditional liberation figures, the Government recognises contemporary heroes, including medical workers, teachers, law enforcement officers, scientists and young entrepreneurs, who contribute daily to the nation’s survival and development.
This new approach links directly to the Government’s developmental trajectory through the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the current NDS2, both of which serve as strategic roadmaps towards achieving Vision 2030.
Vision 2030 aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030.
Heroes Day is increasingly viewed as a motivational platform to drive the national agenda forward, inspired by the values of resilience, service and innovation.
Cde Mahiya emphasised that the genesis of the event lies in the liberation struggle.
“In earnest, that generation sacrificed. It sacrificed its youthfulness, dynamism and capacity to do what anybody else would not have been able to do for the nation,” he said.
“We remember everyone who participated in the liberation struggle, including those who continued to serve the nation afterwards. During the liberation struggle, a hero was defined as someone prepared to sacrifice their life for the freedom of the nation. That is what made them a hero.
“It wasn’t necessarily about outstanding performance because that is broader and more general. People all have different capacities; what you know best may not be what I know best.
“So, ultimately, everyone can become a hero. But what defines the hero’s origin in that era is the willingness to sacrifice one’s life.”
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