MARTIN MAWAYA
TONGOGARA- There was pomp and fanfare at Shurugwi District Heroes Acre yesterday after a local company River Valley Group, distributed assorted food hampers to the widows and widowers of the country’s liberation struggle.
The group through its subsidiary company, S&M Hand of Compassion also organised a live band that performed at the 43rd Heroes’ anniversary graced by Shurugwi District Development Coordinator, Romeo Shangwa who read the President’s speech.
Two Zanu-PF parliamentary candidates for Shurugwi North Joseph Mpasi and his counterpart from Shurugwi South, Wilson Mhuri also attended the commemorations.
Also in attendance were all the four traditional leaders in Shurugwi District.
The Shurugwi district heroes’ acre is located at Tongogara, the hometown of the decorated liberation icon and the late ZANLA forces commander, General Josiah Magama Tongogara.
River Valley Group chief executive officer, Dr Smelly Dube said her company will continue supporting the national events including doing social corporate responsibility in all areas that they operate from.
“We usually donate food hampers and host luncheon for widows and widowers of the liberation heroes at provincial level but this is our second year hosting it at district level.
“We operate in Shurugwi community and this time we decided to be with them on this special day as we join the President and the nation at large in remembering our heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives for us to be who we are today,” said Dr Dube.
Meanwhile, Chief Banga praised River Valley Group for supporting the event to make it a huge success as many people turned up in their numbers.
“We have never had such a huge number of people attending a district Heroes celebration like this, it’s a first in Shurugwi and we thank River Valley Group for sponsoring our event. It was a befitting event for the district and our fallen heroes from the district must be smiling in their graves.
“Usually, I go to the province on such important national events but this year it was worthy celebrating it in our district, thanks to our local company which sponsored everything including food,” he said.
One resident from Gonye Village, Joshine Nyakura commended Dr Dube and River Valley for honoring the Shurugwi community.
Fadzai Nyoka added that “the heroes’ day commemoration is a time to remember sons and daughters who perished in the armed struggle defending our land”.
