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National Heroes' Acre (Zimbabwe)

Coordinates: 17°50′04″S 30°59′14″E / 17.83444°S 30.98722°E / -17.83444; 30.98722
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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 23-hectare (57-acre) 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 two AK-47s lying back-to-back; the graves are meant to resemble their magazines.[3][4] It closely mirrors the design of the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Taesong-guyŏk, just outside Pyongyang, North Korea.[5]

The monument is an early example of work of the North Korean firm Mansudae Overseas Projects, which went on to construct a similar cemetery in Namibia, Heroes' Acre.[6]

Construction

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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. The cemetery was completed in 1982.[6]

National Heroes

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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.[7] As of 7 August 2001, 47 persons had been interred on site, rising to 161 by November 2022.

Features

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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

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The statue of the unknown soldier

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

The Eternal Flame

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The Eternal Flame rests atop a tower measuring some forty metres.[7] 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 be viewed from Harare.

Wall murals

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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

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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.

Burials

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  1. Cephas Cele
  2. Oliver Mtukudzi
  3. Felix Ngwarati Muchemwa
  4. Sabina Mugabe
  5. Edgar Tekere
  6. Samuel Mamutse
  7. Dzingai Mutumbuka
  8. Lameck Makanda
  9. Daniel Nyamayaro Madzimbamuto
  10. Stanford Shamu
  11. Joshua Nkomo
  12. Simon Mazorodze
  13. Josiah Tongogara
  14. Sally Mugabe
  15. Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo
  16. Alfred Nikita Mangena
  17. Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo
  18. Leopold Takawira
  19. Masotsha Ndlovu
  20. T. M. George Silundika
  21. Johanna "Mama" MaFuyana
  22. Major General Charles Njodzi Dauramanzi
  23. Edson Jonasi Mudadirwa Zvobgo
  24. Julia Tukai Zvobgo
  25. Simon Vengai Muzenda
  26. Lookout Masuku
  27. Herbert Sylvester Masiyiwa Ushewokunze
  28. Moven Mahachi
  29. Ernest R. Kadungure
  30. Sydney Donald Malunga
  31. Joseph Culverwell
  32. General Solomon Rex Nhongo Mutusva- Mujuru
  33. Brig. General John Zingoni
  34. Josiah Tungamirai
  35. Brigadier General Charles Tigwe Gumbo
  36. Zororo Duri
  37. Christopher Machingura Ushewokunze
  38. Sikwili Kohli Moyo
  39. Vitalis Zvinavashe
  40. Chenjerai Hunzvi
  41. Border Gezi
  42. Robson Manyika
  43. Josiah Mushore Chinamano
  44. Swithun Mombeshora
  45. Maurice Nyagumbo
  46. Bernard Chidzero
  47. Ambassador Lloyd Gundu
  48. Elliot Manyika
  49. David Ishemunyoro Karimanzira
  50. Livingstone Mernard Negidi Muzariri
  51. Brig. Gen. Armstrong Gunda
  52. Misheck "Makasha" Chando
  53. Guy Clutton-Brock
  54. John Landa Nkomo
  55. Herbert Mahlaba
  56. Lt. Gen. Amoth Chingombe
  57. Edson Ncube
  58. Elias Kanengoni
  59. Nathan Shamuyarira
  60. Kantibhai Gordanbhai
  61. George Lifa (Maj.Gen)
  62. Cornelius Nhloko
  63. Lieutenant Colonel Harold Chirenda
  64. Mike Karakadzai
  65. Kumbirai Kangai
  66. Enos Nkala
  67. Solomon Chirume Tawengwa
  68. George Bodzo Nyandoro
  69. Joseph Msika
  70. Witness Mangwende
  71. Gary Settled Tamayi Hlomayi Magadzire
  72. Vivian Mwashita
  73. Victoria Chitepo
  74. Charles Utete
  75. Cephas G. Msipa
  76. Peter Chanetsa
  77. Shuvai Mahofa
  78. Stanley Gagisa Nleya
  79. Major General Trust Mugoba
  80. Sibusiso Moyo
  81. Perence Shiri
  82. Douglas Nyikayaramba
  83. Biggie Joel Matiza
  84. Kantibhai Patel[8]
  85. Colonel Kenny “Ridzai” Constantine Mabuya

References

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  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. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Things you didn't know about the Heroes' Acre in Harare". Zimbabwe Metro. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  4. ^ Farai, Christopher (August 22, 2011). "Heroes Acre: bastionof patriotism, tourist attraction". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b Hall, Nick (December 9, 2022). "Empty lots and baboon feces: North Korea's monuments in Namibia — in photos". NK News. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Heroes Acre: Bastion of patriotism, tourist attraction".
  8. ^ "Liberation Heroes/Heroines | National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe". www.nmmz.co.zw. Retrieved 2023-11-29.

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

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