ZDF upgrades Chinhoyi shrine
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), through its Hunyani Farm and in partnership with various stakeholders, has officially handed over Phase One of the comprehensive upgrade to Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre.
This initiative honours the nation’s fallen heroes and preserves the legacy of the liberation struggle.
The handover event, held at the shrine yesterday, attracted dignitaries, defence officials and the public.
The Minister of Defence, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, hailed the facelift as a timely initiative that aligns with national commemorations.
“The project, to be conducted in three phases, is aimed at honouring freedom fighters and safeguarding the legacy of the liberation struggle,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
Phase One was completed in just 21 days and included several significant improvements.
The improvements consisted of constructing VIP and public ablution facilities, establishing a guard room, resuscitating borehole facilities, installing 20 000-litre water tanks and erecting a security fence.
The project also involved clearing a parking area and sprucing up the entire shrine.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri highlighted the site’s historical significance, noting its proximity to the site of the famous 1966 battle that marked the beginning of the Second Chimurenga.
“Of major significance is the fact that the Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre is within the environs of the Site of the famous 1966 seven heroes battle,” she said.
The seven heroes who died in that battle were Christopher Chatambudza, Simon Chingozha, Godwin Dube (also known as Godfrey Manyerenyere), Chubby Sawana, Arthur Maramba, David Guzuzu and Swazini Ndlovu (also known as Godfrey Dube).
Beyond the Heroes Acre project, the ZDF Hunyani company is actively contributing to national food security and economic development.
They manage a 731-hectare farm at Chinhoyi University of Technology, where they conduct extensive agricultural activities.
In 2023, they installed a 1,14-megawatt solar plant at Sisi Farm, valued at US$1,73 million, which powers operations and feeds excess electricity into the national grid.
Further, a 3 500-tonne grain silo and dryer facility, worth US$1,2 million, has been completed.
While primarily serving the Ministry of Defence, this facility is expected to support local farmers in need of storage and drying services.
The ZDF’s impact extends beyond agriculture and infrastructure. They have been involved in road construction, providing free medical services to communities and making educational donations to students.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri urged the private sector to similarly contribute.
“I challenge the private sector to follow suit by upgrading other shrines across the country,” she said.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to identifying, exhuming, repatriating, and reburying freedom fighters still lying in unmarked graves, even 45 years after independence.
The Phase One handover marks the beginning of a broader transformation of the shrine, with future phases set to enhance the Seven Heroes Monument and the adjacent military cemetery.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, commended stakeholders working with the ZDF on upgrading the shrine.
She said the collaboration was a “true reflection of the ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’” mantra.
The event featured a performance by Dendera music icon Sulumani Chimbetu, whose father, the late liberation war hero and famous musician Simon Chimbetu, is buried at the Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre.
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