Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
THE National Heroes Acre is bustling with activity as local and international tourists are flocking to the shrine, eager to pay homage to the country’s esteemed departed as the Heroes Day holiday beckons.
The national shrine, which is being expanded and spruced up, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to deepen their appreciation of Zimbabwe’s rich history and the contributions of those who shaped the nation to become the sovereign State it is today.
So far, 191 people have been interred at the National Heroes Acre, with 17 of them being heroines.
The Herald news crew was led on a guided tour by resident curator Rumbidzai Bvira, who said the national shrine was witnessing an increased number of visitors in the run-up to Heroes Day commemorations.
“Currently, we have 191 heroes and heroines who have been interred here at the National Heroes Acre and out of the 191, 17 are female. So as we are preparing for our Heroes Day commemorations 2025 edition, we have witnessed an increase in the number of people that are patronising the monument,” she said.
Ms Bvira said August was also the National Heroes Acre’s busiest month as primary and secondary school learners embark on excursions to the national shrine.
This week, The Herald observed several schools, including some from as far as Bulawayo, touring the monument.
“This time of the year is also our peak season in terms of school visits.
“The National Heroes Acre is open to the public every day, including on weekends and public holidays, so everyone is free to visit this national monument,” she said.
One of the tourists, Mr Ian Christon, said he had learnt a lot about the heroes and heroines at the national shrine.
Of significance to him were the graves of Cde Herbert Chitepo and former Vice President “Father Zimbabwe” Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, with this year marking the 26th anniversary of his demise.
“This is my first time, we (his family) have just been visiting places this past week, so we just thought to come here (National Heroes Acre) since Heroes Day is next week,” he said.
The mausoleum that had been constructed for the late former President Robert Mugabe was also popular with the tourists.
A pupil, Buhle, said she was happy to have visited the national shrine, especially at a time when Heroes Day is around the corner.
“Today I learnt a lot and I am glad that I managed to visit this place . . . I also got pictures taken, which I will show my parents and they will be happy,” said a visibly overjoyed Buhle.
Government said final touches for the main commemorations to be held at the National Heroes Acre have now entered the home stretch.
During the main commemorations, President Mnangagwa will present national flags to the families of Cde Benjamin Burombo, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Lameck Francisco Mutanda, Cde John Mbedzi and Cde Jairos Jiri, who were posthumously declared National Heroes.
At least 223 families of heroes and heroines will also be in attendance at the main celebrations.
Ahead of the Heroes Day commemorations, Government commenced major expansion and renovation works at the National Heroes Acre, as current burial space nears full capacity.
The works are aimed at creating additional burial sites, while enhancing the shrine’s infrastructure and visual appeal, a significant and timely development, especially ahead of next week’s commemoration.
The project, expected to take three to four months, will include civil works on the eastern and western wings of the site, repairs to ablution and lighting systems and the construction of a new water feature – a decorative installation such as a fountain or cascading pool, designed to enhance the site’s aesthetic and tranquil atmosphere.
Provincial Heroes Acres across the country are getting facelifts with works set to continue even after the public holiday.
At Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre in Mashonaland West Province, initial works finished in record time, and these included the construction of modern ablution facilities, complete with VIP sections, a guardroom and a new security fence, as well as the sprucing up of the shrine.
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