Families of fallen heroes buried at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane have called for further investment in the memorial site to preserve the history of national heroes and make it easier for future generations to connect with their sacrifices.
The call came during this year’s National Heroes Day commemorations, when relatives gathered at the heroes acre last Monday to honour their departed loved ones.
While expressing appreciation for the annual commemorations, families said improvements to the site, including better grave identification, upgraded security, a modern museum and assistance with tombstones, would strengthen its role as a lasting centre of remembrance.
Abraham Nkomo, who was sent by a friend based in the diaspora to locate a grave, said improved grave identification would make it easier for relatives and visitors to find their loved ones.
“I came here to look for a grave, but I cannot find it. I have the grave number with me, but some graves have been covered by grass and are no longer visible,” Nkomo said.
He suggested that grave numbers be clearly displayed alongside names to make identification easier, particularly for relatives visiting from outside Bulawayo.
Keep Reading
“Even those with tombstones do not have grave numbers. If they could put grave numbers on the graves, it would be easier for us to locate them,” he said.
Nkomo also proposed stronger security measures to protect the memorial site and preserve the graves.
“The problem is also vandalism. We cannot expect someone to guard the place all day. We need another form of securing the area,” he said.
Oppah Ncube, chairlady of the Widows of War Veterans of Fallen Heroes in Bulawayo province, said a modernised museum would help preserve the stories of those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
She said expanding the museum would provide adequate space for photographs and allow biographies of the departed to be displayed alongside their portraits.
“We wish to have a new, modernised and bigger museum for the photographs. It would also be an honour to have a biography of the deceased displayed alongside each photograph,” Ncube said.
She said the biographies could provide future generations with valuable information about the lives and contributions of the fallen heroes.
“For example, my husband, Morgan Ndlovu, whose pseudonym was ‘Bolden’, should have his history, including where he received his training and other details, displayed under his photograph,” she said.
Ncube also envisioned the heroes acre becoming a more developed national shrine that would attract families, researchers, students and other visitors interested in Zimbabwe’s liberation history.
Families have themselves contributed towards improving individual graves, including paving around them, installing lights and providing tombstones.
Ncube said more support was needed to ensure that all heroes, including those who were not members of the army, received similar recognition.
“The army provides tombstones for some of the graves, but the museum is lagging behind, especially for those who were not in the army,” she said.
She also called for information explaining the layout of the graves to be documented and displayed at the museum.
Ncube said relatives had been told that the graves were not always arranged chronologically because, in the past, graves had to be dug manually and workers sometimes had to identify areas where they could penetrate the ground.
Documenting such information, she said, would help families understand the history and layout of the site.
Martin Mangwayana, whose father is buried at the heroes acre, said government assistance with tombstones would help families preserve the dignity and uniformity of the memorial site.
“We wish the government could assist families who cannot afford to put up tombstones. The graves are supposed to be uniform, but the cost is borne by the families, and the tombstones are too expensive. They can cost around US$600,” Mangwayana said.
He also called for measures to address soil erosion and strengthen the protection of the graves.
Alice Suluma, whose mother and father-in-law are buried at the Heroes Acre, said a permanent wall would provide an additional layer of protection for the important national heritage site.
“We wish this place to be protected by putting up a durawall around it because it is stronger. The fence can be vandalised or stolen,” Suluma said.
She also called for unfinished tombstones to be completed so that graves could be clearly identified and presented in a uniform manner.
Despite the challenges, families said the annual Heroes Day commemorations remained an important platform for remembering those who made sacrifices for Zimbabwe.
Mangwayana said the commemorations gave families an opportunity to reconnect with their history and keep alive the memories of their loved ones.
“We appreciate the commemorations because they give us an opportunity to come and visit our loved ones buried here,” he said.
The families’ proposals point to a broader vision of transforming the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre into a well-preserved centre of remembrance, education and national heritage where the stories of fallen heroes can continue inspiring generations to come.