News / National
Government urged to revise strategy for granting hero status
07 Nov 2024 at 13:11hrs | Views
The government has been challenged to change the manner in which the ruling party exclusively grants hero status. Concerns have been raised that deserving individuals, such as the late historian Phathisa Nyathi and other respected war veterans, are not being awarded this honor.
The call for change was made by outspoken former ZIPRA war veteran Max Mkandla. He criticized the current system, noting that only musicians are receiving national hero status, while those who fought for the country's liberation are limited to district or provincial hero titles.
"I propose that the government appoint a committee composed of professionals rather than members of a political party. War veterans should also be included in this committee, along with representatives from other sectors," Mkandla stated.
"ZIPRA and ZANLA fighters were committed to liberating the entire country at the national level, not just individual provinces. Personally, I operated in multiple provinces, not confined to just one," he added.
Mkandla pointed out that there are commanders who worked at the regional level, yet none have been granted regional hero status.
"What does this mean to a liberator? You cannot reduce a man like Phathisa Nyathi to a state-assisted funeral. It's completely unfair compared to these singers who are accorded national hero status," he said. "Additionally, we have people like Border Gezi and others who received national status. I believe ZANU-PF is shortchanging others in this process. There must be an independent committee to handle this fairly. If what happened in Botswana, where the opposition took over, happens here, who will be managing this? ZANU-PF will lose power if they do not respond to the people's needs; people will vote them out."
Mkandla emphasized the need for a non-political committee to oversee the granting of hero status, questioning the current appointment process for those tasked with these decisions.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently granted Phathisa Nyathi a state-assisted burial, while some musicians, such as Souljah Love and Oliver Mtukudzi, were awarded national hero statuses.
The call for change was made by outspoken former ZIPRA war veteran Max Mkandla. He criticized the current system, noting that only musicians are receiving national hero status, while those who fought for the country's liberation are limited to district or provincial hero titles.
"I propose that the government appoint a committee composed of professionals rather than members of a political party. War veterans should also be included in this committee, along with representatives from other sectors," Mkandla stated.
"ZIPRA and ZANLA fighters were committed to liberating the entire country at the national level, not just individual provinces. Personally, I operated in multiple provinces, not confined to just one," he added.
"What does this mean to a liberator? You cannot reduce a man like Phathisa Nyathi to a state-assisted funeral. It's completely unfair compared to these singers who are accorded national hero status," he said. "Additionally, we have people like Border Gezi and others who received national status. I believe ZANU-PF is shortchanging others in this process. There must be an independent committee to handle this fairly. If what happened in Botswana, where the opposition took over, happens here, who will be managing this? ZANU-PF will lose power if they do not respond to the people's needs; people will vote them out."
Mkandla emphasized the need for a non-political committee to oversee the granting of hero status, questioning the current appointment process for those tasked with these decisions.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently granted Phathisa Nyathi a state-assisted burial, while some musicians, such as Souljah Love and Oliver Mtukudzi, were awarded national hero statuses.
Source - Byo24News
