By Kelvin Kasiwulaya
Who says Heroes’ Day celebrations have to be solemn affairs? Certainly not Shurugwi district folks, who were treated to a rare and lively bash yesterday, thanks to River Valley Group of Companies and its subsidiary, S&M Hand of Compassion.
The local company sponsored a live band, which rocked the district heroes’ acre at Tongogara with renditions of iconic tracks by the late Oliver Mtukudzi, Cde Chinx Chingaira, and Simon Chopa Chimbetu.
The crowd went wild, particularly the youths who turned up in large numbers.
To complement the band were spell bound performances from war veterans,Zvapfuka performing arts an assortment of poetry from school pupils .
As per the norm at exactly 11 o’clock, Guest of Honour, Shurugwi District Development Coordinator (DDC) Mr Romeo Shangwa arrived at the venue in the company of Shurugwi district service chiefs.
He immediately read the President’s speech after some school children led in the singing of the National Anthem.
Over 2000 people were treated to a sumptuous lunch by the multi-sectorial company, which also prepared 100 food hampers for the widows and widowers of liberation stalwarts from the district.
Two Zanu-PF members of parliament to represent the party on 23 August harminised elections in Shurugwi South and North constituencies also attended the district celebrations.
Also in attendance were all the three Shurugwi traditional leaders namely, Chief Ndanga, Banga and Nhema.
Chief Banga praised River Valley Group for going above and beyond to sponsor such a spectacular event.
“It was a befetting event for the district and our fallen heroes from the district must be smiling in their graves,” he said.
Chief Ndanga was so moved that he decided to skip the provincial celebrations and join his kinsmen in Shurugwi.
Dr Smelly Dube, the Chief executive Officer of River Valley Group, said the company has been committed to supporting national events and has donated food hampers and hosted lunches for widows and widowers of liberation heroes at the provincial level.
This year, however, they decided to host at the district level, in honour of their Shurugwi community.
“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,” she said.
Widows of War Veterans thanked River Valley Group of companies for the donations and hailed Dr Dube as an ardent patriot.
We are blessed to receive food hampers worth thousands of dollars from Dr Dube and her company. It was a surprise for both of us, and it came at a time when we needed it the most. We didn’t think that anyone would care about our wellbeing and that of our families, but Dr Dube and his team proved us wrong.”
“They truly understand the struggles that we are facing as widows of fallen heroes. Dr Dube is a true patriot and Godsend to all of us. She has shown us that, there are still good people out there who care about the welfare of their fellow women. We are forever grateful to her and her team for their kindness and generosity.” said Amai Manaka, widow of the Late Cde Andrew Manaka nom du guerre Tichaona Freedom.
Another Widow Amai Musagwiza wife to the late liberation war heroe Cde Shakespeare Musagwiza war sobriquet Hardman Makandiwa, also commended Dr Smelly Dube for her patriotic philanthropic works.
As widows of departed war veterans, we are filled with so much gratitude and appreciation because of the generosity of Dr Smelly Dube and the River Valley Group of companies.”
“We hope that other companies and individuals will be inspired by Dr Dube’s example. We need more people like her, who are willing to go beyond the call of duty to help those in need. Our husbands may be gone, but their legacy lives on through people like Dr Dube. We pray that God blesses him and his company abundantly,” she said.
Truly, the residents of Shurugwi had a Heroes’ Day to remember. Maybe next year, other districts will follow suit and make Heroes’ Day a more vibrant and enjoyable occasion.