Heroes Day commemoration just another Zanu PF showpiece

By Lance Guma
14 August 2007

Twenty-seven years ago thousands of Zimbabweans had died fighting against the colonial regime led by Ian Smith, during a 7-year guerrilla war. Although Robert Mugabe and his ‘comrades’ who led that liberation struggle now rule the country, hundreds of thousands are now perishing from a combination of hunger, violence and bad governance. So when it came to celebrating Heroes Day on Monday there was a shift in focus from remembering the fallen heroes to worrying about economic and political problems besetting the country. People interviewed by Newsreel all said there was nothing to celebrate.

For the ruling Zanu PF party the holiday provided the perfect opportunity to take pot shots at the opposition and dwell on glories past. Lionel Saungweme reporting from Bulawayo says the state media was awash with propaganda meant to shore up Zanu PF’s image as a liberation war party. A state sponsored gala in Chinhoyi gave the platform to musicians like Minister Elliot Manyika to perform his ‘Nora’ song. The song branded as containing violent lyrics, talks about opposition puppets and how they are manipulated by the west. The song urges them to be whipped into the Zanu PF way of doing things. Saungweme says this is the problem. Holidays such as these are hardly national and only serve to whip up animosity between the political parties.

On Tuesday the country celebrates Defence Forces Day. The day celebrates Zimbabwe’s defence capabilities but for many all they can reflect on is the brutal role the army has taken in suppressing dissent. The MDC meanwhile issued a statement saying it will join the families and relatives of the fallen heroes in marking the day. Zanu PF has always been accused of trying to monopolize the event. Speaking for the Tsvangirai MDC, spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said they would only join in government celebrations once Mugabe stopped insulting the opposition. He also criticised the criteria for hero status as being too partisan. Their rivals in the Mutambara camp echoed the same sentiments, adding the day should not be owned by any party or tribe.