Victor Maphosa
THOUSANDS of people from Mashonaland East province paid tribute to late national hero Dr Samuel Parirenyatwa at a provincial musical gala held at Maramba High School in Mutawatawa on Saturday night.
Parirenyatwa was Zimbabwe’s first black qualified medical doctor and the first black person to open a medical surgery in Harare at Machipisa.
Top musicians performed at the event, which honoured national heroes.
Among the notable artists who performed at the gala were Baba and Amai Charamba, who gave a sterling performance.
Selmor Mtukudzi, daughter of the late national hero, Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi, said it was an honour to perform at the gala.
Killer T, weighed in saying such galas are important as they present a good opportunity for youths born after independence to know how the country attained its freedom.
Killer T put up a sterling performance and left the crowd yearning for more.
Other artists who performed are Dorcas Moyo, Mark Ngwazi, Seh Calaz, Jah Master, IYASA, as well as Pengaudzoke featuring Faheem Somanje.
Chief director strategic communications in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Anywhere Mutambudzi, said it is important for a nation to honour its heroes.
“A people’s identity is important. A nation that does not honour its heroes will never be strong. It is the past that informs the present in order to go into the future with strength. President Mnangagwa’s mantra says ‘leaving no one and no place behind’, so we should go around the country and recognise, honour and celebrate the lives of selected national heroes for this year, who contributed to the liberation of this country.
“We are going around the country, reminding the nation that this country came out of supreme sacrifice, through these music galas,” he said.