Heroes' Day in Zimbabwe

A public holiday set by law

Zimbabwe’s Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act lists the second Monday in August as Heroes’ Day and the following day as Defence Forces National Day. These are two separate holidays in the legal schedule; the Tuesday is not a substitute day for Heroes’ Day.[1]

Under the Labour Act, an employee is entitled to leave during a public holiday and to their usual remuneration if it falls on a day they would otherwise have worked. An employee who agrees to work that day must receive at least twice their usual remuneration for it.[2]

The public-holiday law also allows notices that prohibit business on specified days. The general schedule alone does not establish whether a particular shop, service or office will open, so check its own holiday hours before visiting.[1]

Remembering the liberation struggle

Heroes’ Day is specific to Zimbabwe because its observance is tied to the country’s struggle for liberation and the people remembered as heroes and heroines of that struggle. A Cabinet briefing on the commemorations describes them as honoring those who served and sacrificed during the Liberation Struggle.[5]

The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe presents liberation heritage through exhibitions at the National Heroes Acre. Its exhibition on Chibondo includes material about civilians and liberation fighters killed during the conflict, connecting national remembrance with the human cost of the struggle.[4]

Commemorations across the country

The National Heroes Acre in Harare is the site of the main national commemoration. Government planning has also included provincial commemorations held concurrently across the country, so remembrance is not confined to the capital.[5]

The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe lists both the National Heroes Acre Museum in Harare and the Mashonaland West Provincial Heroes Acre in Chinhoyi among its site museums. These places offer visitors further context about Zimbabwe’s history and heritage.[3]

The available official sources confirm commemorations at national and provincial levels, but do not establish a single set of customs followed by everyone. They also do not verify a particular meal, concert, parade or gala as a regular part of the holiday, so those should not be assumed.[3][5]

Planning around the holiday

For employees, the Labour Act sets out leave and pay entitlements for public holidays.[2] Check opening hours with the business or service before you go.

If you plan to visit the National Heroes Acre or a museum, check the relevant institution’s visitor information before setting out. The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe lists its museums and site museums. Check opening hours and transport arrangements with the institution before you go.[3]