Limited crowd for Heroes and Defence Forces celebrations

Harare (New Ziana) – This year’s Heroes and Defence Forces Day celebrations will only be attended by a limited number of specially invited guests in line with COVID-19 protocols, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Heroes Day, which is meant to celebrate Zimbabwe’s fallen and living heroes of the War of liberation, will be held on August 9, while the Defence Forces Day-which celebrates the country’s security forces, will be held a day later.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said; “There will be small gatherings this year to mark the Heroes Day commemorations. The 2021 main Heroes Day commemorations which will be held on 9 August at the National Heroes Acre will be a hybrid event with a small gathering of 200 people depicting the national outlook, such as War Veterans, Spouses of Heroes and Heroines and the Youth.”

“His Excellency the President will address the nation using virtual platforms. In addition, the President will confer medals on 16 recipients in various categories of Honours and Awards.

“Heroes Day Commemorations will also be held at all the provincial shrines where Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution will officiate. Gatherings at the Provincial Heroes Acres will be limited to fifty persons drawn from the respective districts in the province. The Ministers of State will also confer medals on nominees of the 2021 Honours and Awards.”

On Defence Forces Day, Mutsvangwa said, the main event will be held at State House in Harare with the rest of the nation following proceedings on virtual platforms.

“The Heroes Day Commemoration and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day Celebrations will only be attended by fully vaccinated persons. In addition, attendees will also be subjected to testing for Covid-19 on the day of the event,” she said.
New Ziana