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Heroes, heroines remembered
2007-07-26 09:56:47
By Patrick Kisembo
President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday led Tanzanians to commemorate the Heroes` Day in Dar es Salaam.
The commemoration took place at the Mnazi Mmoja grounds where the Tanzania People`s Defence Forces (TPDF) performed a parade climaxing by a guard of honour.
This was followed by President Kikwete laying down of traditional weapons (spear and shield) at the Heroes’ Tower base. The shield bore four colours of Black, Green, Yellow and Blue, symbolizing the national flag.
It is customary that the Head of State becomes the first person to lay down the traditional weapons during the event.
The President was followed by Chief of Defense for Forces, Gen. George Waitara who laid down a double-edged army knife (sime) at the tower.
The Dean of ambassadors accredited to Tanzania who is also the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC’s) ambassador to Tanzania placed a wreath of flowers at the tower on behalf of members of the diplomatic corps.
He was followed by the Mayor of Dar es Salaam, Alhaj Adam Kimbisa, who placed a bow and an arrow.
Mzee Ezekiel Chacha, who placed the axe, came to finalise the exercise of placing different weapons and objects at the tower. He represented the veteran soldiers who fought in the First and Second World Wars.
As it is customamrily the case, leader of different religious denominations prayed for the fallen heroes and heroines.
Heroes’ Day is commemorated on July 25, every year and it is rememberance of those who died in the cause of fighting for the rights, respect, independence and dignity of this country.
Among the heroes and heroines remembered include those who fought in the Tanzania-Uganda war in 1978.
Others were leaders who fought against colonialism penetration, soldiers who fought in the First and Second World Wars and other leaders who died while fighting for the independence of this country.
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