By Paul Nyathi | Superstar and veteran musician Oliver Mtukudzi in one of his contemporary songs asked the question, “What does it take to be a hero?”

Millions of Zimbabweans are today asking the same question in huge disappointment after President Emmerson Mnangagwa denied the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai a hero status.

President Mnangagwa announced in a statement on Thursday that he has not accorded Tsvangirai any level of a Hero Status but government will give him a state assisted funeral.

Mnangagwa who recently showed great compassion for Tsvangirai had all the hopes of the nation that he will

riseabove the norm and declare Tsvangirai a national hero.

According to the National Heroes Act only the President, and not the Zanu-PF Politburo as is sometimes reported, declares national hero status.

“Where the President considers that any deceased person who was a citizen of Zimbabwe has deserved well of his country on account of his outstanding, distinctive and distinguished service to Zimbabwe, he may, by notice in Gazette, designate such a person a national, provincial or district hero of Zimbabwe,” reads the Act.

MDC-T newly installed interim Pressident Nelson Chamisa said that Tsvangirai is likely to be buried in his home village of Buhera.

Speaking at a press conference Chamisa said that even though Mnangagwa has ignored giving Tsvangirai a hero status, the MDC-T has declared him a National Hero.

“MDC-T is united. We have a vision. We mourn our late president. Tsvangirai told us before his death that he wants to be buried in Buhera. We have declared him a national hero,” said Chamisa.