Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa lays a wreath at the national monument in Harare, Zimbabwe, Aug. 12, 2024.
Thousands of Zimbabweans gathered on Monday at the National Heroes Acre in the national capital of Harare to celebrate the 44th anniversary of Heroes Day. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
HARARE, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Zimbabweans gathered on Monday at the National Heroes Acre in the national capital of Harare to celebrate the 44th anniversary of Heroes Day.
Heroes Day, a public holiday, is celebrated every second Monday of August in honor of liberation war fighters who took up arms to fight British colonial rule.
The National Heroes Acre, a revered shrine, serves as the resting place for numerous veterans of the liberation struggle who were awarded the title of national hero or heroine.
Zimbabweans, some clad in national colors, gathered at the national monument atop a hill overlooking central Harare to mark the day at an event presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
"Today, we are joining hands in remembering our gallant fighters who paid the supreme sacrifice to free our beautiful motherland from the grip of colonial domination and subjugation," Mnangagwa said in a televised address.
He said their extraordinary courage and the risks they took to ensure that Zimbabweans enjoy freedom will always be cherished.
"As we celebrate Heroes Day, let us not take for granted the independence and freedom that we are enjoying today, which was brought about by the sacrifices of the courageous men and women who fought against the brutal racist colonial regime," he said. "I, therefore, call upon every one of us to emulate their lives through playing our part by laying the foundations for a more prosperous future for both present and future generations."
Mnangagwa said the government is aware of the need to memorialize the liberation war through repatriation, reburials, and related processes to bring closure to the families of the deceased veterans.
Speaking on the strides that Zimbabwe has made over the years, Mnangagwa said the economy continues to register positive growth. "Our mining sector continues to benefit from investment into new and existing projects."
Infrastructure upgrading and expansion projects in the transport sector continue to deliver tremendous results, he said, adding that the manufacturing sector is expanding value addition and beneficiation activities.
Zimbabwe attained its independence in 1980 following a liberation struggle in which many veterans lost their lives.
Heroes Day is celebrated along with Defense Forces Day, which is commemorated the following day to pay tribute to the country's defense forces. ■