Today, the nation stands united in remembrance and gratitude, as we pay tribute to the bravery, sacrifices, and unshakable spirit of our heroes — both celebrated and unsung. Across the length and breadth of Zimbabwe, we gather to recall the courage of those who dedicated their lives to the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. Their legacy continues to inspire us, urging us to strive for the Zimbabwe they envisioned: a truly free, just, and prosperous nation.
Forty-five years have passed since our people broke free from the yoke of colonial rule, yet the call for genuine freedom still resounds in our valleys, towns, and cities. Our liberation was won at an immeasurable cost, but the gap between the aspirations of our freedom fighters and the realities faced by ordinary citizens today has grown wider. Even the veterans who bore the scars of the liberation struggle have, in many cases, been denied the fruits of the independence they fought to secure.
Too many of the repressive laws that oppressed our people under the Rhodesian regime remain in force, stifling dissent and keeping citizens in fear of a government whose legitimacy is questioned both at home and abroad. The noble vision of “one man, one vote” — for which thousands of our compatriots paid the ultimate price — has been tarnished by electoral malpractice and the erosion of democratic principles. Our abundant natural resources, meant to be the bedrock of national development, are often captured and exploited for the benefit of a few, rather than for the prosperity of the nation as a whole.
Yet today is not merely a day for lamentation. It is a day of profound respect and remembrance. To the heroes who perished in the struggle or have since passed on, we sing praises for your courage and gallantry. We honour your memory, for your determination paved the way for our belief in freedom and our insistence on human dignity. It was your sacrifice that unshackled us from colonial bondage and ignited the flame of self-determination in our hearts. The indomitable spirit we carry as a people is a direct inheritance from your steadfastness in the face of adversity.
To our living heroes, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your endurance, commitment, and resilience serve as a guiding light for future generations. You continue to embody the ideals for which the liberation struggle was fought. Your achievements remind us that the path to a better Zimbabwe is not yet complete — and that it remains our shared responsibility to walk it together.
We also salute those whose heroism may never be recorded in the official annals of history, but whose contributions were no less significant. Many civilians — farmers, traders, mothers, fathers, and young people — fed, sheltered, and informed the freedom fighters, often at great personal risk. Intelligence gathered by villagers and herders provided a lifeline to our combatants, giving them a fighting chance against a well-resourced enemy.
As ZAPU, we reaffirm our recognition of all freedom fighters — from the highest levels of leadership to the humble but determined volunteers at the grassroots. We honour provincial and community heroes, and we especially acknowledge the unsung patriots whose names are known only to their families and neighbours. Their sacrifices were not in vain, for the Zimbabwe we call home today was shaped by countless small acts of courage and defiance.
Zimbabwe Heroes Day
We encourage communities to tell and retell the stories of their local heroes, ensuring their bravery is passed down to future generations. Local authorities should consider naming roads, schools, and public spaces after these figures, so their memory becomes an enduring part of the national landscape. True honour is not confined to monuments in the capital — it must also live in the places where these men and women once walked, worked, and dreamed.
As we commemorate Heroes Day, we are called not only to reflect, but also to recommit ourselves to the values of patriotism, selflessness, and service. Let the sacrifices of our heroes propel us to build a Zimbabwe where justice, equality, and human dignity are not abstract ideals, but lived realities. Let us work together — across communities, political divides, and generations — to create a nation worthy of their sacrifice.
Our task now is to turn remembrance into action: to make a tangible difference in our communities, to foster unity, and to champion fairness and opportunity for all. We must ensure that the Zimbabwe of tomorrow reflects the hopes of those who fought and fell for its birth.
To our heroes, past and present — we say thank you. Your courage, your vision, and your unwavering commitment to the well-being of this nation will remain etched in our hearts and minds for all time. You built the foundation; it is our duty to finish the house.
Source- ZimEye
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