did not necessarily need to be dead to be a hero for one’s country. “The MDC takes the occasion of this year’s Heroes Day to remember and honour the true heroes – the men and women who have made an enormous contribution to this country,” said Chamisa. “They could be in business, in politics, in sport, in music and arts or any other area of endeavour. Our heroes also include some of the hundreds of thousands of people who have been massacred by the regime’s merchants of death for the simple reason that they were fighting for change.”
The MDC’s Roll of Honour does not list President Mugabe, but singles out his late wife Sally for her immense contribution to social and community development. Mugabe’s second wife Grace, is also absent from the roll. The list does include senior ruling party officials such as former army commander Solomon Mujuru and Speaker of Parliament John Nkomo among others.
Chamisa said the Mugabe regime had, over the years, negated the spirit of the liberation war and added its own surrogates and henchmen, some of whom have actually terrorized Zimbabweans, onto the noble list of the country’s heroes. “The MDC believes in a neutral panel comprising various stakeholders to deliberate on who should become a national hero,” said Chamisa. “Such a decision cannot be the exclusive prerogative of the Zanu (PF) Politburo.”
“Our heroes include almost every Zimbabwean who is struggling to fend for their family in the wake of starvation and an uncaring government, the ordinary men and women who have lost their dignity as they engage in humiliating enterprises both within and outside the country in order to put bread on the table for their families.”
Chamisa said listed below were heroes of a new Zimbabwe.
POLITICS
1.Josiah Magama Tongogara
2.Joshua Nkomo
3.Morgan Tsvangirai
4.Herbert Chitepo
5.Dumiso Dabengwa
6.Eddison Zvobgo
7.Alfred Nikita Mangena
8.Solomon Mujuru
9.Learmore Jongwe
10.Tichaona Chiminya
11.Talent Mabika
12.Edgar Tekere
13.Lookout Msuku
14.Gift Tandare
15.Ndabaningi Sithole
16.Simon Muzenda
17.Patrick Kombayi
BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
1.Nigel Chanakira
2.Strive Masiyiwa
3.Shingi Mutasa
4.Kenneth Musanhi
5.Mutumwa Mawere
6.Farai Rwodzi
7.Herbert Nkala
8.Delma Lupepe
MUSIC &ARTS
1.Oliver Mutukudzi
2.Thomas Mapfumo
3.Alick Macheso
4.Ambuya Stella Chiweshe
5.Leonard Dembo
6.Dominic Benhura
7.Leonard Zhakata
SPORTS
1.George Shaya
2.Peter Ndlovu
3.Kirsty Coventry
4.Zvenyika Alfonso
5.Proud Chinembiri (Kilimanjaro)
6.Moses Chunga
7.Sunday Marimo
8.Nick Price
9.The Black Family (Byron, Wayne and Cara)
SOCIAL & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1.Dr Solomon Guramatunhu
2.Jairos Jiri
3.Sally Mugabe