The Zimbabwe National Students Union joins fellow compatriots in celebrating National Heroes Day. As an institution of patriots, we hold this important day in the highest of regard as we remember Zimbabwe’s men and women of valor who have and continue to contribute to the history and development of this great Country.We take this day to reflect deeply on our revolutionary duty to emulate these heroes.

We honour and remember our forebearers who valiantly fought in the 1893 and 1896 Umvukela/Chimurenga uprisings to resist colonialism. Standing up against the maxim gun with less advanced weaponry. It is from that brave patriotism that we must draw inspiration to fight the new colonial masters from the East clumsily disguised as all weather friends.

We remember and hail the selfless patriots who sacrificed their all to fight for self determination, freedom and universal suffrage in the Second Chimurenga. It is sad that the same are still elusive more than four decades. We remain inspired and emboldened to fight for freedom from our black oppressors, economic freedom and a just and equal Zimbabwe just as they did.

Today we honour thousands of Zimbabweans who have continued to fight for democracy and a better Zimbabwe for all in the face of a repressive and murderous Zanupf. It is a fight we will not dare abandon. We continue to demand freedom for Makomborero Haruzivishe our former Secretary General and all political prisoners whose only crime has been being heroes of our modern day struggle.

We remember Christopher Giwa, Learnmore Jongwe, Batanai Hadzizi, Lameck Chemvura, Garudzo Mareruswa and a many unheralded heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the dignity of the Student. Their killers have continued to walk scot-free. We are determined to continue with the struggle for the dignity of the student, academic freedom and accessible education that will be afforded by the poorest of us.

We salute the heroes of our times in these tumultuous times, the underappreciated frontline health workers who have risked their lives in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. We respect Zimbabwe’s heroes living and departed who have raised the Zimbabwean flag in many fields and respects.

As we commemorate Heroes Day and celebrate our heroes we are conscious of the fact that ours is a duty less to admire and more to emulate the valiant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who have given their all for Zimbabwe in patriotism and bravery. The best form of tribute we can give to our heroes as ZINASU is to draw inspiration and fight for an inclusive, just, equal and democratic Zimbabwe where students are accorded their deserved dignity and academic freedom is protected.

#ZINASULives
#ResistDictatorship

For and on behalf of the Zimbabwe National Students Union

Tapiwanashe Chiriga
Secretary General