National Heroes Acre (Zimbabwe)
Encyclopedia
National Heroes Acre or simply Heroes Acre is a burial ground and national monument in Harare
, Zimbabwe
. The 57 acres (230,671 m²) site is situated on a ridge seven kilometres from Harare
along the main Harare-Bulawayo
Road. The shrine is a national monument of Zimbabwe. The work was undertaken by the Government to commemorate those who fell in the struggle for national liberation and the contemporary and future sons and daughters of Zimbabwe whose dedication and commitment to the nation justify their burial at this sacred spot. Burial at the shrine is reserved for those who have been declared a hero by the ruling Zanu (PF) party politburo. This has raised questions on impartiality of the whole process as critics maintain that it should be the national government, rather than a political party, that must accord such status. Indeed, most of the recipients of the 'hero status' were known to be Zanu (PF) sympathisers.
Over 250 local workers were involved in the project at the height of construction. The black granite stone used for the main construction was quarried from Mutoko
; a rural area situated about 140 km Northeast of Harare. The Heroes Acre is protected under the Natural Monuments Act.
and tomb for the Unknown Soldier
.
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. The 57 acres (230,671 m²) site is situated on a ridge seven kilometres from Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
along the main Harare-Bulawayo
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
Road. The shrine is a national monument of Zimbabwe. The work was undertaken by the Government to commemorate those who fell in the struggle for national liberation and the contemporary and future sons and daughters of Zimbabwe whose dedication and commitment to the nation justify their burial at this sacred spot. Burial at the shrine is reserved for those who have been declared a hero by the ruling Zanu (PF) party politburo. This has raised questions on impartiality of the whole process as critics maintain that it should be the national government, rather than a political party, that must accord such status. Indeed, most of the recipients of the 'hero status' were known to be Zanu (PF) sympathisers.
Construction
The Government of Zimbabwe started work on the Heroes Acre in 1981, one year after Independence in Zimbabwe. The design and artwork used at the site was done by seven artists from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and ten Zimbabwean Artists.Over 250 local workers were involved in the project at the height of construction. The black granite stone used for the main construction was quarried from Mutoko
Mutoko
Mutoko is a small town in Mashonaland East province, Zimbabwe. It was established as an administrative station in 1911. It lies 143 km from Harare. It is named after the local Chief Mutoko....
; a rural area situated about 140 km Northeast of Harare. The Heroes Acre is protected under the Natural Monuments Act.
Definition of a Hero
National Hero Status
National Hero Status is the highest honour that can be conferred to an individual and the recipient is entitled to be buried at the National Heroes Acre. By 7 August 2001 47 heroes had been laid to rest at the National Shrine.The Statue of the Unknown Soldier
The Statue of the Unknown Soldier commemorated the many Zimbabweans who died in the liberation war. The statue is bronze sculptured and consists of three figures, one woman and two men, a flagpole with the Zimbabwe National FlagFlag of Zimbabwe
The flag of Zimbabwe was adopted on April 18, 1980. The soapstone bird featured on the flag represents a statuette of a bird found at the ruins of Great Zimbabwe...
and tomb for the Unknown Soldier
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier refers to a grave in which the unidentifiable remains of a soldier are interred. Such tombs can be found in many nations and are usually high-profile national monuments. Throughout history, many soldiers have died in wars without their remains being identified...
.
The Eternal Flame
The Eternal Flame sits on a 40 metre high tower. It was lit at Independence celebrations and depicts the spirit of Independence. The tower is the highest point of the site and can be seen from parts of Harare. This tower, built at the top of the southern hill is accessible through a flight of stairs extending from the foot of the hill.Zimbabwe National heroes buried at the shrine
- Edgar TekereEdgar TekereEdgar Zivanai Tekere was a Zimbabwean politician. He was a president of the Zimbabwe African National Union who organised the party during the Lancaster House talks and served in government before his popularity as a potential rival to Robert Mugabe caused their...
- Lameck Makanda
- Daniel Nyamayaro Madzimbamuto
- Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo
- Simon C Mazorodze
- Josiah TongogaraJosiah TongogaraJosiah Magama Tongogara was a commander of the ZANLA guerrilla army in Rhodesia. He attended the Lancaster House conference that led to Zimbabwe's independence and the end of white minority rule...
- Sally Hayfron Mugabe
- Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo
- Alfred Nikita Mangena
- Herbert ChitepoHerbert ChitepoHerbert Wiltshire Chitepo led the Zimbabwe African National Union until he was assassinated on March 1975. Although his murderer remains unidentified, the Rhodesian author Peter Stiff says that a former British SAS soldier, Hugh Hind was responsible.Chitepo became the first black citizen of...
- Leopold TakawiraLeopold TakawiraLeopold Takawira served as the Vice President of the Zimbabwe African National Union after supporting the National Democratic Party and later the Zimbabwe African People's Union.Leopold Takawira was also known by his Mhazi to totem as 'Shumba yeChirumanzi'Takawira was born at Chirumanzi, Victoria...
- Masotsha Ndlovu
- T. M. George Silundika
- Mama Mafuyana
- Edson Jonasi Mudadirwa Zvobgo
- Julia Tukai Zvobgo
- Simon Vengai Muzenda
- Lookout MasukuLookout MasukuLieutenant General Lookout Masuku commanded the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army, the militant wing of the Zimbabwe African People's Union, during the Rhodesian Bush War...
- Herbert Sylvester Masiyiwa UshewokunzeHerbert UshewokunzeDoctor Herbert Ushewokunze served as the Home Affairs Minister of Zimbabwe. A founding member of the Zimbabwe African National Union, Ushewokunze strongly supported President Robert Mugabe until he fell out of favor....
- Moven MahachiMoven MahachiMoven Enock Mahachi served as the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Zimbabwe. He was a close ally of Robert Mugabe within Z.A.N.U.-P.F.. Before becoming Defence Minister Mahachi served as M.P. for Makoni West....
- Ernest R. Kadungure
- Sydney Donald Malunga
- Joseph Culverwell
- Josiah TungamiraiJosiah TungamiraiAir Chief Marshal Josiah Tungamirai , born Thomas Mberikwazvo, was a Zimbabwean military officer and politician...
- Brigadier General Gumbo
- Zororo Duri
- Christopher Machingura Ushewokunze
- Sikwili Kohli Moyo
- Vitalis ZvinavasheVitalis ZvinavasheLt. Gen. Vitalis Zvinavashe was a retired former Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and politician. He was also a member of the Politburo of the ZANU-PF...
- Chenjerai HunzviChenjerai HunzviChenjerai "Hitler" Hunzvi served as Chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association beginning in 1997.-Early life:...
- Border GeziBorder GeziBorder Gezi was a Zimbabwean politician. He was a close ally of Robert Mugabe within ZANU-PF and served as Minister for Gender, Youth and Employment from 2000 having previously been a provincial governor....
- Robson Manyika
- Josiah Mushore ChinamanoJosiah Mushore ChinamanoJosiah Mushore Chinamano fought in the Rhodesian Bush War on behalf of the Zimbabwe African People's Union. He later served as the Minister of Transport....
- Swithun MombeshoraSwithun MombeshoraSwithun Mombeshora was a former Minister of Transport and Communications and Higher and Tertiary Education in Zimbabwe.-References:...
- Sabina MugabeSabina MugabeSabina Gabriel Mugabe was a Zimbabwean politician. She was the younger sister of the current Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. She served as the Member of Parliament for Makonde East from 1985 to 1990 and for Zvimba South from 1990 to 2008.Sabina Mugabe died in Harare on 29 July 2010, aged 75,...
- Maurice NyagumboMaurice NyagumboTapfumaneyi Maurice Nyagumbo was a Zimbabwean politician.Working in South Africa in the 1940s, he joined the South African Communist Party. He spent most of the years 1957 to 1979 in detention in Southern Rhodesia. During this time he wrote an autobiography, With the People...
- Bernard ChidzeroBernard ChidzeroBernard Thomas Gibson Chidzero was a Zimbabwean economist, politician, and writer. He served as the independent Zimbabwe's second finance minister.-Early life and education:...
- Elliot ManyikaElliot ManyikaElliot Tapfumaneyi Manyika was a Zimbabwean politician, who served as Minister without Portfolio and the National political Commissar for ZANU-PF....
- David Ishemunyoro Karimanzira
- Livingstone Mernard Negidi Muzariri
- Brig Gen Armstrong Gunda
- Misheck "Makasha" Chando
- Solomon Tapfumaneyi MujuruSolomon MujuruSolomon Mujuru, also known as Rex Nhongo was a Zimbabwean military officer and politician who led Robert Mugabe's guerrilla forces during the Rhodesian Bush War. He was from the Zezuru clan. In post-independence Zimbabwe, he went on to become army chief before leaving government service in 1995...