Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe will commemorate its 2026 National Heroes Day on August 10 under the theme “Lest We Forget”, with the government intensifying efforts to preserve the liberation history through the rehabilitation of war heritage sites across Southern Africa.
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Zhemu Soda, said this while addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
He said Cabinet approved the program for the 2026 National Heroes Day Commemorations and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Day Celebrations following a presentation by the acting chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments, who is the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe.
Soda aid the main Heroes Day commemorations will be held at the National Heroes Acre on Monday, August 10.
“The 2026 Heroes Day Commemorations will be held on Monday, 10 August 2026 under the theme ‘Lest We Forget’, with the main event being held at the National Heroes Acre,” he said.
He said the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage had completed updating the national register of heroes and heroines, with the total number of fallen liberation heroes now standing at 254.
“The total number of fallen heroes currently stands at 254, with four of them, namely Cde Petros Khumalo, Cde Shumirai Wekwete, Cde Joseph Zethi Dube and Cde Herbert Zaba Sambo, having been declared posthumously,” he said.
In a move aimed at safeguarding Zimbabwe’s liberation legacy, the government has embarked on the second phase of rehabilitating liberation war heritage sites in neighbouring countries that played a critical role during the struggle for independence.
Soda said works are underway at four sites in Mozambique namely Tembue, Nyangao, Doroi and Chicualacuala, while rehabilitation and completion of six sites in Zambia, namely Freedom Camp, Nampundwe, Mkushi, Mlungushi, Kavalamanja and St Mary’s Kabwe, are also being prioritised.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has embarked on Phase Two of the rehabilitation of Zimbabwe Liberation War heritage sites in Mozambique and Zambia,” he said.
He added that the government also plans to commence works at the historic Boma site in Angola, where a cenotaph bearing a roll of honour will be erected alongside a mass grave, ablution facilities and perimeter fencing.
Meanwhile, preparations for the 2026 Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations are gathering momentum, with the national event scheduled for August 11 at Rufaro Stadium in the capital.
The commemorations will run under the theme “ZDF: Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030.”
Soda said the address to the nation by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, will be the major highlight of the celebrations.
“The Address to the nation by His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces will be the major highlight of the celebrations,” he said.
Other activities lined up include a military parade, military displays, entertainment by civilian groups and the ZDF Sports Day.
Ahead of the celebrations, the ZDF Community Assistance Week will be held from July 27 to 31, during which completed community projects undertaken by the Defence Forces in partnership with stakeholders will be handed over to beneficiaries.
The commemorations are expected to honour the sacrifices of liberation heroes while highlighting the role of the Defence Forces in maintaining peace, stability and national development as Zimbabwe advances towards its vision to become an upper middle income society by 2030.
New Ziana
