Cabinet has approved programmes for the 2026 National Heroes Day commemorations, with the annual event set to be held on August 10 under the theme, “Lest We Forget.”
Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Soda Zhemu, said Cabinet considered and approved the programmes presented by the Acting Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe.
“The 2026 Heroes Day commemorations will be held on Monday, 10 August 2026 under the theme, ‘Lest We Forget’, with the main event taking place at the National Heroes Acre,” said Dr Zhemu.
He said the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage had completed updating the national register of heroes and heroines.
“The total number of fallen heroes currently stands at 254, with four comrades namely Cde Petros Khumalo, Cde Shumirai Wekwete, Cde Joseph Zethi Dube and Cde Herbert Zaba Sambo having been declared national heroes posthumously,” he said.
Dr Zhemu said Government had intensified efforts to preserve liberation war heritage sites in neighbouring countries as part of the commemorations.
“As part of the 2026 commemorations, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has embarked on Phase Two of the rehabilitation of Zimbabwe Liberation War heritage sites in Mozambique and Zambia,” he said.
He said rehabilitation works are focusing on four sites in Mozambique, namely Tembue, Nyangao, Doroi and Chicualacuala, while six sites in Zambia — Freedom Camp, Nampundwe, Mkushi, Mlungushi, Kavalamanja and St Mary’s Kabwe — are being completed.
Dr Zhemu said Government also plans to begin work at the Boma site in Angola.
“The Ministry envisages commencing works at the Boma site in Angola where a cenotaph with a roll of honour will be constructed, together with a mass grave, ablution facilities and fencing of the site,” he said.
The annual Heroes Day commemorations honour men and women who contributed to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and nation-building efforts.
