Harare(New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday conferred, posthumously, national hero status to the founding leader of Zanu, Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole and nationalist James Chikerema.
Sithole died in 2000, while Chikerema died in 2006.
President Mnangagwa also extended the same honour to Brigadier General Chrispen Masuku, Rabelani Choeni, Elliot Gwabe, Professor Sheunesu Mupepereki, George Kahari, Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu, and Stanley Matunhira.
He said the Second Republic was committed to giving a holistic account of the country’s war of liberation.
“We are therefore rising to the occasion and recognising other heroes and heroines such as the late Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole and the late comrade James Chikerema for their historical contributions, despite their areas of weaknesses, with regards to the observance of the correct line of the revolution,” he said at the main heroes day commemorations at the national heroes acre.
“For that reason, we now honour them among the list of our national heroes and heroines. We forever remain indebted to all the heroes and heroines of our great country for the freedom, democracy and independence.”
Meanwhile, four outstanding Zimbabweans were honoured with awards for their sterling work in advancing Zimbabwe’s development agenda in various fields.
The awards, established in 2021, include the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Commendation Award, the Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Commendation Award, and the Herbert Wiltshire Pfumaindini Chitepo Commendation Award.
Professor Robson Mafoti received the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Commendation Award for service in human capital development, while Dr Kudzaishe Hazvidi was posthumously awarded the Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Commendation Award.
The Herbert Wiltshire Pfumaindini Chitepo Commendation Award for justice and Human rights was awarded to retired judge, Justice Simbi Mubako, while the late Justice Kennedy Mbuso Sibanda was also awarded the same honour.
“We shall, thus, recognise and honour heroism beyond the war of liberation and defence sector. Milestones in science, technology and innovation; the accelerated development and growth of our economy as well as the growth of made in Zimbabwe goods and services are applauded and celebrated.
“So too are initiatives around cultural preservation and other heroic efforts by our people, both at home and abroad, that raise the Zimbabwe National Flag high,” he said.
New Ziana
