By Desire Tshuma
Masvingo – With 12 days to go to National Heroes Day, Masvingo Province has intensified calls to honor the province’s liberation icons while institutions pledge to align with His Excellency President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa’s decentralization and development agenda.
In a statement released this week, Masvingo Province applauded the President for his “unwavering decentralization agenda, ensuring every community shares in our national pride and legacy” ahead of Heroes and Defence Forces Day commemorations.
The province paid tribute to its gallant sons and daughters whose sacrifices laid the foundation for Zimbabwe’s freedom. Among those saluted are Hebert Chitepo, Josiah Tongogara, Simon Muzenda, Dr. Eddison Zvobgo, Elias Musakwa, Stanlake Samkange, Noah Mare, Charles Ruberwa, Tyson Chirambaguhwa, Mai Bhobho, Elias Chigwe, George Rutanhira and many other unsung heroes and heroines.
Masvingo was a key route and base area during the liberation struggle. The bravery of cadres, spirit mediums, and communities in districts like Chivi, Zaka, Bikita, Gutu, and Chiredzi ensured the success of the struggle, the statement said.
“Let us come together as families and communities to reflect, remember, and renew our commitment to the values our heroes fought for: unity, sovereignty, hard work, and development. Masvingo stands ready to honor their legacy by building the Zimbabwe we all want,” the province said.
Citizens Against Economic Sanctions, CAES, has also thrown its weight behind the President’s vision, saying the spirit of Heroes Day must translate into tangible development at community level and continued resistance to illegal sanctions.
Speaking on behalf of CAES, interim board chairman Ellison Muchenje said the organization is fully behind President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“Our heroes did not die so that a few individuals can benefit. They died so that every Zimbabwean, in every district, can have an opportunity to work, to farm, and to develop despite the sanctions,” Muchenje said.
He said CAES under his interim leadership is restructuring to ensure programmes reach the grassroots and reflect the President’s vision of inclusive growth and economic sovereignty. Muchenje’s appointment follows the sacking of former CAES director Martin Zharare, who he said “fleeced a lot of people” and was clearly working against the President’s vision and mantra.
“That era of looting and self-enrichment is over. CAES now exists to serve the people, fight sanctions, and support His Excellency’s development agenda,” Muchenje added.
Masvingo CAES Coordinator Paul Gwarega also weighed in, saying the province is mobilizing structures to support the President’s programs.
“As Masvingo CAES, we are fully behind the President’s vision. We will take the anti-sanctions message to every ward and ensure our people benefit from empowerment projects. The legacy of our heroes demands that we work hard and develop our province,” Gwarega said.
“As CAES Masvingo Chapter, we are honored to support the 2026 National Heroes and Defence Forces Day celebrations.
The heroes of Masvingo Province paid the ultimate price so that we may enjoy freedom, unity and development today. CAES stands in solidarity with Government and communities as we reflect on their sacrifices and renew our commitment to the values they fought for: unity, sovereignty, hard work, and service to the nation.
“We call upon all citizens of Masvingo to come together as families and communities to commemorate this day with dignity and purpose,”Paul Gwaregwa Focal Person, CAES Masvingo Chapter said
CAES will be rolling out anti-sanctions awareness campaigns and economic empowerment projects in Masvingo and other provinces in line with the decentralization drive, with a focus on youth, women, and war veterans’ families.
Provincial leadership said this year’s commemorations should not only be about laying wreaths but about renewing commitment to the values of hard work and unity championed by the liberation heroes.
As the countdown continues under the hashtags #LestWeForget #HeroesDay2026 #DefenseForcesDay #MasvingoHonorsHeroes #EDLeads, Masvingo said it is mobilizing communities to participate in commemorations and in development projects that honor the legacy of the fallen.
“We owe it to Hebert Chitepo, to Tongogara, to Mai Bhobho and all our heroes to build a prosperous Masvingo and a prosperous Zimbabwe free from sanctions,” the statement concluded.