Brian Rungano Temba
Zimbabwe celebrated Heroes Day in style this year with President Mnangagwa conferring Merit Awards to outstanding Zimbabweans.
A number of upstanding citizens in different sectors were honoured yesterday, during the celebrations across the country.
During Heroes Day commemorations at the National Heroes Acre yesterday, President Mnangagwa told the country that the awards were being extended to civilians to give exceptional Zimbabweans who work for the good of the country, their due acknowledgement.
“As we try match the stature and heroic achievement of our gallant heroes and heroines, the nomination and conferment of national honours and awards has been for the first time extended to civilians.
An office of registry of Honours and Awards has since been established to superintend the national honours and awards system, within the context of present and future national realities,” said President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The honours that were presented yesterday include the new Order of the Great Zimbabwe Award in Diamond; Grand Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit; Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit; Order of Great Zimbabwe in Silver; Historical Legacy Award; Silver Cross of Zimbabwe; Jairos Jiri Humanitarian Award; and Order of the Star of Zimbabwe in Gold and Silver.
Luminaries, heroes and heroines of the First Chimurenga that include Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi, Chiefs Chinengundu, Mashayamombe, Chingaira Makoni, Inkosikazi Lozikeyi Dlodlo, Mtshana Khumalo, Mgandane Dlodlo were honoured with Order of the Great Zimbabwe Diamond.
Former Zanla commander General Josiah Magama Tongogara, Cde Alfred Nikita Mangena, Cde Jane Ngwenya, Cde Moffat Hadebe, Cde Abraham Nkiwane; Cde John Maluzo Ndlovu and Cde Gibson Mayisa were posthumously awarded the Grand Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit.
The late national heroes, Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri, Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo, Major-General Paradzai Zimondi and Dr Joel Biggie Matiza were awarded the National Historical Legacy Award.
First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa was awarded the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe gold medal for her philanthropic work together with Zaoga founder Ezekiel Guti and Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry.
Other notable names awarded medals were former universities vice-chancellors Phineas Makhurane, Ngwabi Mulunge Bhebhe, Primrose Kurasha, Walter Kamba, Hope Sadza, Christopher Chetsanga, Joanna Girlie Moyo-Sibanda among other academics, who got the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe Silver medals.
The UZ, MSU, NUST, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Africa University, Bindura University of Science Education, Harare Institute of Technology and Arundel Group of Hospitals were awarded the Jairos Jiri Humanitarian Award for their role in the fight against Covid-19.
Recipients of the Commendation awards for working towards Zimbabwe to be a middle income economy by 2030 were Mr Stephen J. Chifunyise, (posthumously) Dr. Charles Mungoshi(posthumously), Dr. Devine Ndhlikula, Mr Martin Lock (in abscentia), Mrs Betty Mutero, Cde Ruben Barwe, Cde Judith Makwanya (posthumously), Dr Dzingai Mutumbuka, Cde Fay Chung, Cde Ephraim Chitofu, Sister Janice Mclanghin, Mr Dennis Zaranyika, Prof Mandivamba Rukuni, Mr Brian Oldreive (in abscetia) and Dr. Stuart Hargreaves (in abscentia).
Recipients of the Commendation awards for long serving Zimbabweans to safeguard values and principles of the liberation struggle were Mr. John Nyamombe, Cde Charles Gawu and Mr. Willas Chanetsa.
Recipients of the Commendation awards for being loyal civil servants for the country were Mr. FS Mapinge, Ambassador Mark Grey Marongwe, Dr. Charles Utete, Mr. Tobaiwa Mudede and Ambassador Magret M. Muchada.
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