National Heroes' Acre (Zimbabwe)

National Heroes' Acre or simply Heroes' Acre is a burial ground and national monument in Harare, Zimbabwe. The 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. People buried here are considered heroes by the incumbent Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front regime, which has administered the country since independence at 1980. Indeed, most of the recipients of the 'hero status' were known to be Zanu-PF sympathisers.

The actual monument itself is modeled after two AK-47s lying back-to-back; the graves are meant to resemble their magazines. It closely mirrors the design of the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Taesong-guyŏk, just outside Pyongyang, North Korea.

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.

Construction

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.

National Heroes

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

Features

The Tomb 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.

The Eternal Flame

The Eternal Flame rests atop a tower measuring some forty metres. 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

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

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

# Cephas Cele
# Oliver Mtukudzi
# Felix Ngwarati Muchemwa
# Sabina Mugabe
# Edgar Tekere
# Samuel Mamutse
# Lameck Makanda
# Daniel Nyamayaro Madzimbamuto
# Stanford Shamu
# Joshua Nkomo
# Simon Mazorodze
# Josiah Tongogara
# Sally Mugabe
# Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo
# Alfred Nikita Mangena
# Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo
# Leopold Takawira
# Masotsha Ndlovu
# T. M. George Silundika
# Johanna "Mama" MaFuyana
# Major General Charles Njodzi Dauramanzi
# Edson Jonasi Mudadirwa Zvobgo
# Julia Tukai Zvobgo
# Simon Vengai Muzenda
# Lookout Masuku
# Herbert Sylvester Masiyiwa Ushewokunze
# Moven Mahachi
# Ernest R. Kadungure
# Sydney Donald Malunga
# Joseph Culverwell
# General Solomon Rex Nhongo Mutusva- Mujuru
# Brig. General John Zingoni
# Josiah Tungamirai
# Brigadier General Charles Tigwe Gumbo
# Zororo Duri
# Christopher Machingura Ushewokunze
# Sikwili Kohli Moyo
# Vitalis Zvinavashe
# Chenjerai Hunzvi
# Border Gezi
# Robson Manyika
# Josiah Mushore Chinamano
# Swithun Mombeshora
# Maurice Nyagumbo
# Bernard Chidzero
#Ambassador Lloyd Gundu
# Elliot Manyika
# David Ishemunyoro Karimanzira
# Livingstone Mernard Negidi Muzariri
# Brig. Gen. Armstrong Gunda
# Misheck "Makasha" Chando
# Guy Clutton-Brock
# John Landa Nkomo
# Herbert Mahlaba
# Lt. Gen. Amoth Chingombe
# Edson Ncube
# Elias Kanengoni
# Nathan Shamuyarira
# Kantibhai Gordanbhai
# George Lifa (Maj.Gen)
# Cornelius Nhloko
# Lieutenant Colonel Harold Chirenda
# Mike Karakadzai
# Kumbirai Kangai
# Enos Nkala
# Solomon Chirume Tawengwa
# George Bodzo Nyandoro
# Joseph Msika
# Witness Mangwende
# Gary Settled Tamayi Hlomayi Magadzire
# Vivian Mwashita
# Victoria Chitepo
# Charles Utete
# Cephas G. Msipa
# Peter Chanetsa
# Shuvai Mahofa
# Stanley Gagisa Nleya
# Major General Trust Mugoba
# Sibusiso Moyo
# Perence Shiri
# Douglas Nyikayaramba
# Biggie Joel Matiza
# Brigadier General Epmarcus Walter Kanhanga
# Kantibhai Patel
#Colonel Kenny “Ridzai” Constantine Mabuya

References

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Buildings and structures in Harare
Cemeteries in Zimbabwe
Tourist attractions in Harare
Mansudae Overseas Projects
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1982 establishments in Zimbabwe