Harare (New Ziana) -Zimbabwe on Monday honored various civilians for their post independence heroic achievements in sports, academics and philanthropy.
This is the first time authorities have extended the national honour and awards to civilians.
Unveiling the awards at the 41st Heroes Day commemorations, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said this was done to acknowledge citizens who have excelled in present day Zimbabwe.
“Accordingly, the order of the Great Zimbabwe award in Diamond has been introduced as Zimbabwe’s new highest honor. The award is reserved for revolutionary luminaries who performed feats seemingly beyond human capacity and comprehension,” he said.
Other awards that were confered include the Grand Commander of the Zimbabwe order of merit, order of Great Zimbabwe in silver, Historical legacy award, silver cross of Zimbabwe, Jairos Jiri Humanitarian award and Order of the Star of Zimbabwe in Gold and Silver.
The late national heroine Jane Ngwenya, Moffat Hadebe, Abraham Nkiwane, John Maluzo Ndlovu and Gibson Mayisa were awarded the Grand officer of Zimbabwe order of merit .
The Josiah Chinamano Order of the Star of Zimbabwe Gold went to First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa and Sports Minister and Olympic medalist Kirsty Coventry.
Academics Prof Walter Kamba, Prof Phineas Makhurane, Prof Ngwabi Bhebhe, Prof Christopher Chetsanga , Prof Hope Sadza, Prof Primrose Kurasha, Dr Gibson Mandishona and Joana Girlie Moyo- Sibanda got the Ordr of the Star of Zimbabwe Silver awards.
The Silver Cross of Zimbabwe award was given to Maurina Msisinyama.
President Mnangagwa also announced new awards in honor of the late President Robert Mugabe , late Vice President Joshua Nkomo and Zimbabwe’s first black lawyer Hebert Chitepo.
“The exceptional sacrifices made by some of our leaders, with a view to extolling their motivational epoch- defining feats and enduring attributes deserve immortalisation. In this regard, awards have been created in their honour.
“The Robert Gabriel Mugabe Commendation award for outstanding service delivery in human capital development will be awarded on the 21st of February each year,” he said.
The Nkomo Commendation for oustanding and consistent transformative service in the promotion of national development, national unity and nation building will be awarded on the 19th of June each year.
The Herbert Chitepo commendation award for outstanding and excellent servicefor the community in the field of justice will be awarded on any internal justice- related day.
“These various awards reaffirm our unique , diverse, resilient and innovative character as the Zimbabwean people, against all odds,” said the President.
New Ziana
