While coming from Mozambique in 1980 after the war, we had the body of our commander, Cde Tongogara.
So, we sat down with the leadership and decided that we must accord him the honour of being our hero.
As a result, we built the National Heroes Acre. We agreed that all leaders who die defending our country and revolution will be buried at the Heroes Acre.
We had leaders from here, the likes of Cde Chitepo, whom we gave that honour.
We recognised all those who fought for our liberation, including the likes of Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo and buried them there; also the Lion of Chirumhanzu, Leopold Takawira, is also there.
Cde Joshua Nkomo, Cde Muzenda, Cde Msika are also buried there.
They are there because they are gallant sons of Zimbabwe, who gave their lives for the freedom of Zimbabwe.
We then realised that others had been overlooked, so we sat down and decided that every son and daughter of Zimbabwe who helped liberate this country must be honoured.
Most of you are young and may not know that the likes of Rev Sithole, Chikerema fought for this country, so we honoured them by according them national hero status.
This is because we are ZANU PF and we are principled. We follow the principles of the party; we are revolutionaries.
And this party will remain in the hands of the revolutionaries.
It is ZANU PF which brought about independence and freedom.
We cannot have other people teaching us about freedom or democracy. No!
We fought for our democracy; we know what we want in this country.
Our predecessors, we respect them, and among them is Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole.
There is no other party in this country with a history of bringing independence to this country, but other parties are known for being sellouts.
This is why I am so happy with this gathering. It shows that you are all true patriots and that you love your country.
In order to safeguard your country, I will tell you what you must do.
Many died in the war while many others lie in unmarked graves because they died fighting for this country.
Today, you heard the Vice President telling us that our Constitution enjoins us to hold elections every five years.
There is no other party that speaks of protecting our freedom other than ZANU PF.
ZANU PF brought independence and democracy; independence and sovereignty; and the dignity of the African person through the armed liberation struggle. But today, when we need to preserve our legacy, we vote.
No one dies when voting; in fact, you will not even break a sweat when voting.
You just put a marking on a ballot paper and you are done.
Now, what is it that is required first and foremost by any country?
The first and most important thing in a country is peace.
We want peace, unity and harmony.
All of us, we should commit ourselves to preserving our peace, our unity and our harmony as a people.
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