News / National
Families call for Bulawayo Heroes Acre overhaul
2 hrs ago |
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FAMILIES of fallen heroes buried at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre have called for a major overhaul of the site, citing difficulties in locating graves, incomplete tombstones, vandalism, soil erosion and inadequate facilities to preserve the history of those buried there.
The concerns were raised during this year's National Heroes Day commemorations as relatives visited the graves of their loved ones and called for the site to be transformed into a dignified and secure memorial.
Some families said poor maintenance had made it increasingly difficult to identify and locate graves, with overgrown grass obscuring some burial sites and grave markers.
Abraham Nkomo, who was searching for a grave during the commemorations, said he struggled to locate it despite having the grave number and knowing the deceased's date of death.
"I came here to look for a grave, but I cannot find it. I have the grave number with me, but some graves have been covered by grass and are no longer visible," Nkomo said.
He called for grave numbers to be prominently displayed on tombstones to make it easier for relatives and visitors to locate specific graves.
Families also raised concerns over incomplete tombstones, vandalism and soil erosion, saying these problems were compromising the dignity of the resting place of the province's fallen heroes.
They called for authorities to improve maintenance at the site and put in place measures to protect graves and memorial structures from vandalism and deterioration.
Relatives also said the Heroes Acre should have adequate facilities and historical information documenting the lives and contributions of those buried there.
They argued that preserving the site was not only about maintaining graves but also about safeguarding the history of the liberation struggle for future generations.
The families urged authorities to treat the provincial Heroes Acre as an important national heritage site and invest in its rehabilitation, security and long-term maintenance.
They said a properly maintained memorial would allow families to honour their relatives with dignity while ensuring that future generations could learn about those who made sacrifices during the liberation struggle.
The concerns were raised during this year's National Heroes Day commemorations as relatives visited the graves of their loved ones and called for the site to be transformed into a dignified and secure memorial.
Some families said poor maintenance had made it increasingly difficult to identify and locate graves, with overgrown grass obscuring some burial sites and grave markers.
Abraham Nkomo, who was searching for a grave during the commemorations, said he struggled to locate it despite having the grave number and knowing the deceased's date of death.
"I came here to look for a grave, but I cannot find it. I have the grave number with me, but some graves have been covered by grass and are no longer visible," Nkomo said.
He called for grave numbers to be prominently displayed on tombstones to make it easier for relatives and visitors to locate specific graves.
They called for authorities to improve maintenance at the site and put in place measures to protect graves and memorial structures from vandalism and deterioration.
Relatives also said the Heroes Acre should have adequate facilities and historical information documenting the lives and contributions of those buried there.
They argued that preserving the site was not only about maintaining graves but also about safeguarding the history of the liberation struggle for future generations.
The families urged authorities to treat the provincial Heroes Acre as an important national heritage site and invest in its rehabilitation, security and long-term maintenance.
They said a properly maintained memorial would allow families to honour their relatives with dignity while ensuring that future generations could learn about those who made sacrifices during the liberation struggle.
Source - Newsday
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