National Heroes Acre (Zimbabwe)

National Heroes Acre or simply Heroes Acre is a burial ground and national monument in Harare, Zimbabwe. The 23-hectare (57-acre) 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. Persons buried here are considered heroes by the incumbent Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front regime, which has administered the country since independence at 1980.[1] Indeed, most of the recipients of the 'hero status' were known to be Zanu-PF sympathisers.[2]

Looking down to the statue of the unknown soldier

The actual monument itself is modeled after two AK-47s lying back-to-back; the graves are meant to resemble their magazines.[3][4] It closely mirrors the design of the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Taesong-guyŏk, just outside Pyongyang, North Korea.[5]

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.[6]

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.[6]

National Heroes

Those heroes subordinated their personal interests to the collective interest of Zimbabwe. They accepted and endured pain, suffering and brutality with fortitude even unto death.

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.[7] 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 statue 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.[3]

The Eternal Flame

The Eternal Flame rests atop a tower measuring some forty metres.[7] 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
  1. Cephas Cele
  2. Oliver Mtukudzi
  3. Felix Ngwarati Muchemwa
  4. Sabina Mugabe
  5. Edgar Tekere
  6. Samuel Mamutse
  7. Dzingai Mutumbuka
  8. Lameck Makanda
  9. Daniel Nyamayaro Madzimbamuto
  10. Stanford Shamu
  11. Joshua Nkomo
  12. Simon Mazorodze
  13. Josiah Tongogara
  14. Sally Mugabe
  15. Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo
  16. Alfred Nikita Mangena
  17. Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo
  18. Leopold Takawira
  19. Masotsha Ndlovu
  20. T. M. George Silundika
  21. Johanna "Mama" MaFuyana
  22. Major General Charles Njodzi Dauramanzi
  23. Edson Jonasi Mudadirwa Zvobgo
  24. Julia Tukai Zvobgo
  25. Simon Vengai Muzenda
  26. Lookout Masuku
  27. Herbert Sylvester Masiyiwa Ushewokunze
  28. Moven Mahachi
  29. Ernest R. Kadungure
  30. Sydney Donald Malunga
  31. Joseph Culverwell
  32. General Solomon Rex Nhongo Mutusva- Mujuru
  33. Brig. General John Zingoni
  34. Josiah Tungamirai
  35. Brigadier General Charles Tigwe Gumbo
  36. Zororo Duri
  37. Christopher Machingura Ushewokunze
  38. Sikwili Kohli Moyo
  39. Vitalis Zvinavashe
  40. Chenjerai Hunzvi
  41. Border Gezi
  42. Robson Manyika
  43. Josiah Mushore Chinamano
  44. Swithun Mombeshora
  45. Sabina Mugabe
  46. Maurice Nyagumbo
  47. Bernard Chidzero
  48. Ambassador Lloyd Gundu
  49. Elliot Manyika
  50. David Ishemunyoro Karimanzira
  51. Livingstone Mernard Negidi Muzariri
  52. Brig. Gen. Armstrong Gunda
  53. Misheck "Makasha" Chando
  54. Guy Clutton-Brock
  55. John Landa Nkomo
  56. Herbert Mahlaba
  57. Lt. Gen. Amoth Chingombe
  58. Edson Ncube
  59. Elias Kanengoni
  60. Nathan Shamuyarira
  61. Kantibhai Gordanbhai
  62. George Lifa (Maj.Gen)
  63. Cornelius Nhloko
  64. Lieutenant Colonel Harold Chirenda
  65. Mike Karakadzai
  66. Kumbirai Kangai
  67. Enos Nkala
  68. Solomon Chirume Tawengwa
  69. George Bodzo Nyandoro
  70. Joseph Msika
  71. Witness Mangwende
  72. Gary Settled Tamayi Hlomayi Magadzire
  73. Vivian Mwashita
  74. Victoria Chitepo
  75. Charles Utete
  76. Cephas G. Msipa
  77. Peter Chanetsa
  78. Shuvai Mahofa
  79. Stanley Gagisa Nleya
  80. Major General Trust Mugoba
  81. Sibusiso Moyo
  82. Perence Shiri
  83. Douglas Nyikayaramba
  84. Biggie Joel Matiza

References
  1. "National Heroes Acre losing significance?". The Financial Gazette. October 8, 2010. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  2. "Mugabe says National Heroes Acre is solely for Zanu PF members". Zimbabwe Metro. October 1, 2010. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  3. "Things you didn't know about the Heroes' Acre in Harare". Zimbabwe Metro. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  4. Farai, Christopher (August 22, 2011). "Heroes Acre: bastionof patriotism, tourist attraction". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  5. Kirkwood, Meghan L. E. (2013). "Postindependence Architecture through North Korean Modes: Namibian Commissions of the Mansudae Overseas Project". A companion to Modern African Art. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 9781444338379.
  6. Hall, Nick (December 9, 2022). "Empty lots and baboon feces: North Korea's monuments in Namibia — in photos". NK News. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  7. "Heroes Acre: Bastion of patriotism, tourist attraction".

17°50′04″S 30°59′14″E

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