STANDUP (English): TAFARA MUGWARA, Xinhua reporter3. various of people, the arrival of the bodies of the two national heroes and Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa4.
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President5. various of people and diplomats attending the event6.
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President7. various of the burial of heroes8.
SOUNDBITE 3 (Shona): ABIGAIL MUTEREMUKA, Local resident9. a list of departed heroes and heroines10. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ISAAC DZENGA, Local resident11. more of a burial of heroes and a banner12. SOUNDBITE 5 (Shona): BRENDA MAGRIVA, Local resident13. various of the event
STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): TAFARA MUGWARA, Xinhua reporter”Every second Monday of August, Zimbabweans gather here (Harare) at the National Heroes Acre to remember the lives of liberation war fighters who took up arms to fight colonialism. The day comes as a reminder to Zimbabweans, especially young people that the freedoms that they enjoy in an independent Zimbabwe came at a huge cost. Today, the celebrations which were attended by thousands of people also saw the burials of two national heroes that were led by the Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.” In his national address, Mnangagwa reiterated that the freedom that Zimbabwe enjoys today did not come on a silver platter, but rather was attained through bloodshed.
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President”The heroes and heroines we are honoring today played their part and left us a legacy of resilience and unflinching patriotism to save and protect our motherland. After waging a protracted war for 16 years until independence and freedom and democracy, we the current generation shall defend our democracy, our independence, our sovereignty with our blood.” He said that despite sanctions imposed on the country by Western nations, an independent Zimbabwe continues to record notable achievements, including the attainment of food security.
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, Zimbabwean President”Twenty-three years after ruinous sanctions imposed on our country, we will continue to defy all odds as we are transforming our infrastructure as well as industrializing and modernizing our country, in spite of these sanctions imposed by the West.”
SOUNDBITE 3 (Shona): ABIGAIL MUTEREMUKA, Local resident”Heroes Day reminds us of the heroes who died for us, so that we can attain political freedom by participating in the liberation struggle, and so that we can enjoy freedom in a free Zimbabwe.”
SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ISAAC DZENGA, Local resident”Heroes Day is an important day for us as a youth when we remember our forefathers who fought for this country — the dead and the living.”
SOUNDBITE 5 (Shona): BRENDA MAGRIVA, Local resident”We are grateful that liberation war fighters fought for us. We are now living in an independent Zimbabwe due to their sacrifices.” Zimbabwe attained its independence in 1980 after a long and arduous war of liberation, which resulted in tens of thousands of people losing their lives. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Harare.(XHTV)
Source: News Journal
