National Heroes Acre (Zimbabwe)

Looking down to the statue of the unknown soldier

National Heroes Acre or simply Heroes Acre is a burial ground and national monument in Harare, Zimbabwe. The 57-acre (230,000 m2) site is situated on a ridge seven kilometres from Harare, towards Norton. Its stated purpose is to commemorate Patriotic Front guerrillas killed during the Rhodesian Bush War, and contemporary Zimbabweans whose dedication or commitment to their country justify their interment at the shrine. Persons buried here are considered heroes by the incumbent Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front regime, which has administered the country since independence at 1980.[1] Indeed, most of the recipients of the 'hero status' were known to be Zanu-PF sympathisers.[2] The actual monument itself is modeled after an AK-47.[3] The monument is an early example of work of the North Korean firm Mansudae Overseas Projects. It closely mirrors the design of the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Taesong-guyŏk, just outside Pyongyang, North Korea.[4]

Construction

Work was initiated on the National Heroes' Acre in September 1981, a year after Zimbabwean independence. Ten Zimbabwean and seven North Korean architects and artists were recruited to map the site's layout. 250 local workers were involved in the project at the height of its construction. Black granite used for the main structures was quarried from Mutoko, about 140 kilometres northeast of the capital, then known as Salisbury.

National Heroes

“ Those heroes subordinated their personal interests to the collective interest of Zimbabwe. They accepted and endured pain, suffering and brutality with fortitude even unto death. ”

National Hero Status is the highest honour that can be conferred to an individual by Zimbabwe and the recipient is entitled to be buried at the National Heroes' Acre. As of 7 August 2001, 47 persons had been interred on site.

Features

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The statue of the unknown soldier

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier recognises unidentified insurgents who lost their lives during the bush war. Included is a bronze statue of three guerrillas – one female, two male – a flagpole, and an ornate artifice.[3]

The Eternal Flame

The Eternal Flame rests atop a tower measuring some forty metres. It was lit at independence celebrations in 1982 and embodies the spirit of Zimbabwean independence. The tower is the highest point at Heroes' Acre; it can readily viewed from Harare.

Wall Murals

Two walls on either side of the monument carry murals depicting the history of Zimbabwe, from pre-colonial times through the Chimurenga, the Rhodesian Bush War, and independence under national hero Robert Mugabe.

Museum

Near the entrance of Heroes' Acre is a museum dedicated to the rise of African nationalism in Zimbabwe and the anti-colonial struggle, showcasing artifacts, photographs, documents and other paraphernalia from the war and the period shortly after independence Zimbabwe National heroes buried at the shrine.

  1. Cephas Cele
  2. Felix Ngwarati Muchemwa
  3. Edgar Tekere
  4. Samuel "Mayor Urimbo" Mamutse
  5. Lameck Makanda
  6. Daniel Nyamayaro Madzimbamuto
  7. Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo
  8. Simon C. Mazorodze
  9. Josiah Magama Tongogara
  10. Sally Hayfron Mugabe
  11. Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo
  12. Alfred Nikita Mangena
  13. Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo
  14. Leopold Takawira
  15. Masotsha Ndlovu
  16. T. M. George Silundika
  17. Johanna "Mama" MaFuyana
  18. Edson Jonasi Mudadirwa Zvobgo
  19. Julia Tukai Zvobgo
  20. Simon Vengai Muzenda
  21. Lookout Masuku
  22. Herbert Sylvester Masiyiwa Ushewokunze
  23. Moven Mahachi
  24. Ernest R. Kadungure
  25. Sydney Donald Malunga
  26. Joseph Culverwell
  27. General Solomon Rex Nhongo Mutusva- Mujuru
  28. Brig General John Zingoni
  29. Josiah Tungamirai
  30. Brigadier General Gumbo
  31. Zororo Duri
  32. Christopher Machingura Ushewokunze
  33. Sikwili Kohli Moyo
  34. Vitalis Zvinavashe
  35. Chenjerai Hunzvi
  36. Border Gezi
  37. Robson Manyika
  38. Josiah Mushore Chinamano
  39. Swithun Mombeshora
  40. Sabina Mugabe
  41. Maurice Nyagumbo
  42. Bernard Chidzero
  43. Elliot Manyika
  44. David Ishemunyoro Karimanzira
  45. Livingstone Mernard Negidi Muzariri
  46. Brig. Gen. Armstrong Gunda
  47. Misheck "Makasha" Chando
  48. Solomon Tapfumaneyi Mujuru
  49. Guy Clutton-Brock
  50. John Landa Nkomo
  51. Herbert Mahlaba
  52. Lt. Gen.(Rtd) Amoth Chingombe
  53. Edson Ncube
  54. Elias Kanengoni
  55. John Zingoni(Brig.Gen)
  56. Nathan Shamuyarira
  57. Kantibhai Gordanbhai
  58. George Lifa(Maj.Gen)
  59. Cornelius Nhloko
  60. Lieutenant Colonel Harold Chirenda
  61. Mike Karakadzai
  62. Kumbirayi Kangai
  63. Enos Nkala
  64. Solomon Chirume Tawengwa
  65. Charles Tawengwa
  66. Edison Zvobgo
  67. George Bodzo Nyandoro
  68. Joseph Msika
  69. Witness Mangwende
  70. Gary Settled Tamayi Hlomayi Magadzire
  71. Vivian Mwashita
  72. Victoria Chitepo
  73. Charles Utete
  74. Cephas G. Msipa

References

  1. ↑ "National Heroes Acre losing significance?". The Financial Gazette. October 8, 2010. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Mugabe says National Heroes Acre is solely for Zanu PF members". Zimbabwe Metro. October 1, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Things you didn't know about the Heroes' Acre in Harare
  4. ↑ Kirkwood, Meghan L. E. (2013). "Postindependence Architecture through North Korean Modes: Namibian Commissions of the Mansudae Overseas Project". A companion to Modern African Art. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 9781444338379.

Coordinates: 17°50′04″S 30°59′14″E / 17.83444°S 30.98722°E / -17.83444; 30.98722

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