Tinotenda Hove – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s address at the burial of the late national hero, Retired Brigadier General Mpandasekwa Mzheri, at the National Heroes Acre on Monday once again exposed the government’s reliance on symbolic ceremonies to project strength while the country remains gripped by economic and social decline.

In his remarks, Mnangagwa hailed Mzheri as a “disciplined and patriotic son of the soil,” urging young people to emulate his “hard work and professionalism.” However, the President’s familiar tone and repetitive rhetoric drew criticism from citizens who see such events as political theatre rather than genuine national reflection.

“We gather here again at our sacred national shrine,” said Mnangagwa, delivering yet another speech that echoed those he has given countless times before. For many Zimbabweans, the message offered no new vision — only a reminder of how disconnected the government has become from the realities ordinary people face daily.

Analysts noted that Mnangagwa’s habit of turning state funerals into political platforms has worn thin. “The speeches are predictable — praise the hero, invoke patriotism, and ignore the suffering in the streets,” said one political observer. “People are tired of the same script while the economy crumbles.”

As inflation continues to rise and basic services deteriorate, Zimbabweans have grown increasingly frustrated with leadership that appears focused on ceremony over substance. Even some within ZANU PF circles quietly admit that these events are losing their emotional and political impact.

Despite the solemn occasion, many felt that Mnangagwa’s words lacked sincerity, serving more to reinforce his political image than to honour the true spirit of national service.

As yet another hero is buried, the nation’s collective grief is compounded by a growing sense that the ideals for which these heroes fought have been betrayed — and that the President’s speeches, no matter how often repeated, can no longer drown out the echo of disillusionment.