PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says the Liberation War Heritage Programme will continue to run in honour of the heroes and heroines who ensured that the country gained independence from colonial bondage.
The programme seeks to preserve the country’s important history through, among other things, enshrinement of liberation war sites.
Speaking during commemorations of this year’s Heroes’ Day at the National Heroes’ Acre, President Mnangagwa said the programme would continue.
“As we commemorate this year’s Heroes’ Day, let us remain peaceful, united and rebuild our country together, always safeguarding our national security, independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty which our living and departed heroes and heroines fought for,” the President said.
“In line with the spirit and letter of Section 23 of our Constitution, my Government will continue to accord due respect, honour and recognition to veterans of the liberation struggle. To this end, Government is developing liberation war sites into tourist sites where our history and that of the fallen heroes will continuously be told for generations to come as well as to the world at large.
“The Liberation War Heritage Programme, which re-develops and re-interprets various memorials in different parts of the country, will also endeavor to correct historical inaccuracies that are at times perpetuated through built monuments from the colonial era.”
The President called on the country’s citizens to also become heroes in their various spaces.
“I equally encourage a similar desire for heroism in other spheres of the economy, in mining, tourism, manufacturing, science and technology as well as cultural heritage and creative arts.
“We now have an opportunity to be heroes of the next national epoch, that of economic development and growth.
“Our nation is endowed with vast opportunities which cut across every sector. These opportunities are critical in fostering economic emancipation, human development, social security, poverty reduction and prosperity for all.”
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Prisca Mupfumira is on record saying funding for the programe is long overdue.
“Government had approved the budget submitted by my Ministry for the enshrinement programme. I had put this long overdue project as part of my 100 days programme and my team and I are elated by the allocation of resources to enable us embark on this project,” Mupfumira said.
“Zimbabwe has many Liberation War Sites that need to be memorialised as we package our own history. For the hundred days’ programme we have prioritised five sites, namely: The Chinhoyi Battle Site and the Seven Heroes burial site (Chinhoyi), Trabablas Trail (Masvingo), Pupu Shangani (Matabeleland North), Old Bulawayo Site (Bulawayo) and Tangwena Village (Manicaland).
“Following the allocation of the resources, work is set to commence on the development of the four sites. Already, work has started at the Chinhoyi Battle Site where the executing agency, National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) have commenced site mobilisation.
“The unveiling of the grand plan for the site will change the face of tourism in Chinhoyi, in particular, and Mashonaland West, in general.”
Chief executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Karikoga Kaseke, said tourism was the ultimate beneficiary of the programme.
“Our destination brand ‘Zimbabwe — A world of Wonders’ is premised on the seven wonders of our own which include our rich history and heritage and our wonderful people and culture,” Kaseke said.
“The development of the four sites and others will no doubt boost our tourism as this would be a welcome addition to our attraction base. We have waited for these developments for a long time and we are happy that at last both domestic and international tourists will be able to appreciate this part of our history as a result of the enshrinement programme.”