Growing up in Marondera, I never payed so much attention to the attractions that were right under my nose. Lately I have been curious about every little thing that is easy on the eye.

The other day I was looking at hotels, bnbs, golf courses and anything that we hold dear in the tourism circles. As fortune has it, I stumbled on a very obvious attraction or should I say a monument that lies right in front of our eyes, under our nose.

The Roll of Honour or a memorial for bravery is embedded at the heart of our city ensconced in our very own park, The Green. Such lists were compliled by local municipalities or military associations and are more likely to be found in local historical archives and commemorative sites. Whilst I was on my story hunt, I met someone who asked me why I was looking for attractions only and not the history and heritage of my town. Inturn, that is when I got to know about this cynosure which is very conspicuous to everyone. Suffice it to say, it has been there before I was born and it is still begging to be seen. Severally, I have passed through this park but I have never taken notice of this as our memorial.

Definition wise, the Role of Honour is a list of individuals from a specific community who served in the military. Some of the inscripted names have suffered from the weather patterns and you have to look closer so as to decipher or see them. The famous of them all being Baker and Scurror who have farms that surround Marondera up to this day. To compliment the Roll of Honour there is a cannon which was used during 1939 and 1945 during World War II. The square as a whole is a sight for sore eyes thus photographers that take photos at this destination have become thee custodians. Apart from this square, The Green is surely thriving this summer with its Jacaranda trees that provides some shade to a lot of the denizens who visit the town. If you care for a nice spot for picnic or to get a picture perfect photo then its high time you visit ‘The green.’

For a very potent tourism hotspot in our town, it is hyperbolically the heart of Marondera which tells a story that takes us back to the origins of this city. Truth is, Im very happy that the town council is making strides to conserve and preserve this vibrant park because the next generations have the right to see it as it is.

Long live The Green and it’s Roll of Honour.