Yesterday we celebrated Heroes Day, in memory of the sons and daughters of this country who dedicated and sacrificed their lives for this country.

In today’s world, heroes are often created and depicted – in movies and novels — as some ordinary persons, triumphant against all odds.  These are creations often far removed from reality.

Many a young child will have some fictional superhero replica in their toy box; from Spiderman to Superman, made famous by Hollywood .

The child will grow up in this make-believe world, badgering parents for the latest release of their favourite hero, and imitating their every move and dress, sometimes with disastrous consequences.

Children’s characters are modelled according to their surroundings, from parents to peer groups, and woe unto him or her who comes into contact with bad influences.

This country paid the bitter price because many of its children grew up under regimes of impunity, where citizens were rewarded for victimising and killing their compatriots, instead of people being encouraged and rewarded for hard work and development.

That is why the government has been grappling with this legacy as it tries to uproot the Genocide ideology still lurking in irresponsible households and let loose on the streets.

But all this could be thrown into the dustbin of history, if the values and sacrifices of our home-grown heroes — not the comic book types — are instilled in our children at an early age, to mould them into responsible citizens.

Lets us dispel the old notion that "Heroes are born and not made” because patriotism, the main ingredient in the heroism menu, is taught and does not just come out of the blue…. and it can be contagious with the right amount of seasoning.

Ends