Mnangagwa leads National Heroes Day at Harare shrine, cites Muzarabani gas

Mnangagwa leads National Heroes Day at Harare shrine, cites Muzarabani gas

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday presided over the National Heroes Day commemorations at the National Shrine in Harare, accompanied by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.

Organisers said 260 families of fallen heroes and heroines attended this year’s celebrations, held under the theme “Lest We Forget”.

Vice President Colonel (Retired) Kembo Mohadi arrived at the shrine alongside Vice President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Mrs Miniyothabo Chiwenga, as senior Government officials gathered for the national programme.

According to updates from the event, President Mnangagwa inspected the Guard of Honour before proceeding to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where he observed the first gun salute and a moment of silence.

In his address, Mnangagwa said the theme “Lest We Forget” was “a clarion call to unity and remembrance”, while also outlining what he said were Government priorities under the Second Republic.

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He told mourners and invited guests that Zimbabwe was maintaining economic stability, claiming inflation had been below 5% since 2024, and pointed to ongoing “ease of doing business” reforms through the review of licences in priority sectors.

On agriculture, Mnangagwa highlighted irrigation expansion and quoted a target to increase national irrigation capacity from 274,439 hectares to 496,000 hectares. “Under the Second Republic irrigation schemes are now functioning and dams transformed into viable economic hubs,” he said.

He also reiterated his administration’s position on beneficiation and industrialisation, saying: “Zimbabwe will no longer export raw natural resources. We are in a new era of localised value addition, beneficiation, industrialisation, and manufacturing.”

Turning to the environment, the President warned against ecological destruction and damage to public works. “My Administration will not excuse any wanton damage of infrastructure, rivers and natural environments. These must be rehabilitated,” he said.

In a section of the speech with relevance to Mashonaland Central, Mnangagwa singled out gas reserves in Muzarabani as a strategic resource as Government pursues energy security in line with Vision 2030. He also spoke about modernising roads and ports to support tourism and trade, and said rural communities would remain a focus through accelerated infrastructure development, including roads, bridges and schools.

He further praised what he described as unity and national cohesion, saying: “Unity, peace and harmony prevailing in our nation, complemented by deeply entrenched values of national cohesion, remain sacrosanct.”

As part of the commemorations, five liberation war stalwarts were reburied at the National Heroes Acre: Cdes Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu, Petros Khumalo, Shumirai Wekwete, Joseph Zethi Dube and Herbert Zaba Sambo.

Mnangagwa later handed national flags to families of five heroes declared national heroes posthumously, with the flags received by Mrs Miriam Fikile Dube, Margaret Muzavazi, Praxedes Stembile Khumalo, Delight Marufu and Musah Gumbochuma.

The President, together with Vice President Chiwenga and Vice President Mohadi, also laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and on the Wall of the Rolls of Honour at the National Heroes Acre.

He concluded with an appeal for citizens, including those in markets, shops and workplaces, to work diligently for national prosperity, and urged the youth to participate in national development while preserving culture and lessons from older generations.

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