Online Reporter
TODAY marks a significant moment for introspection and celebration as Zimbabwe remembers the late national hero and Vice President, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, affectionately known as “Father Zimbabwe”.
Dr Nkomo, who is regarded by many as the founder of peace and unity in the nation, passed away 26 years ago after a lifetime of dedicated national service.
His death at the age of 82, on July 1, 1999, plunged the entire nation into mourning.
Today, the vivid memories of his deep love for the people and his immense sacrifices for national unity and peace remain etched in the hearts and minds of Zimbabweans.
Dr Nkomo was a true national leader who tirelessly worked to unite all people in Zimbabwe, transcending tribal divisions.
His legacy demands that any remembrance of him involves every citizen, reflecting his commitment to national unity over regionalism.
The late national hero’s unwavering dedication to reconciliation was most evident when he signed the historic Unity Accord on December 22, 1987, agreeing to work alongside the late President Robert Mugabe.
This monumental agreement effectively ended the civil disturbances that had plagued Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands.
Following the signing of the Unity Accord, Dr Nkomo took up the critical post of Vice President of the country.
In this capacity, he tirelessly championed unity, peace and national development for 12 years, until his passing on July 1, 1999.
His life remains a powerful testament to the pursuit of national cohesion and progress.
Peace and unity in Zimbabwe were his cherished vision, a relentless quest that dates back as far as 1970.
Unity, peace and tranquillity were the cornerstones of Dr Nkomo’s political beliefs.
At the heart of the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe, when Zanu and Zapu fought side-by-side, Dr Nkomo never faltered in his conviction that unity was the indispensable foundation for conquest, peace and development.
Consequently, Dr Nkomo is not only regarded as the champion of the liberation struggle but also widely seen by many Zimbabweans as the enduring symbol of unity.
Although departed, Dr Nkomo remains an inspiration to many, and his legacy will remain embedded in the minds of both old and young generations whose lives he directly and indirectly gladdened.
Towards the fulfilment of this goal, the Second Republic, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, is making fulsome strides in fostering national unity and inclusivity.
This includes engaging communities that were affected by Gukurahundi, a process spearheaded by the National Council of Chiefs president and Senator, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, and carried out with the direct endorsement and resource allocation from President Mnangagwa.
This initiative confronts one of the nation’s most sensitive historical periods, aiming to provide a platform for victims and affected communities to voice their grievances and seek redress.
In doing so, this significant step demonstrates a profound recognition of the past and a firm commitment to building a brighter future for Zimbabwe.
Since assuming office, President Mnangagwa has committed to transparently confronting Zimbabwe’s troubled past, notably the Gukurahundi era, making a significant departure from previous government stances.
President Mnangagwa’s Government has demonstrated an unflinching desire to unite the people of Zimbabwe through a continued process of engagement with Gukurahundi-affected communities.
The opening of the Gukurahundi historical chapter for deliberations with affected communities at all levels is a major milestone as we celebrate the life of Dr Nkomo.
Before the coming in of the Second Republic, and for decades, the Gukurahundi issue was treated as a taboo.
President Mnangagwa is drawing from Dr Nkomo’s vision of tirelessly championing unity and peace, where unity in a family was considered the indispensable pillar of welfare, safety, and success.
Clearly and confidently, President Mnangagwa is walking the talk on national reconciliation with palpable deliveries, furthering the enduring vision championed by Dr Nkomo.
This commitment is particularly evident in the ongoing efforts to address the Gukurahundi issue, a painful chapter that Dr Nkomo himself worked tirelessly to resolve.
Through these actions, President Mnangagwa is effectively removing the tool of divide and rule from foreign detractors and their hare-brained irredentists.
With such visionary national leadership, focused on healing historical wounds and fostering genuine unity, Zimbabwe is poised to be the breakout nation of the African continent as it seeks its rightful pedestal on the global stage.
As Zimbabwe celebrates 26 years since the passing away of Dr Nkomo, his profound vision of national unity and inclusivity is visibly being spearheaded by the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.
Now, more than ever, is the time for all Zimbabweans to heed Dr Nkomo’s timeless call for unity, embracing this profound process of reconciliation to collectively build a harmonious and prosperous future for the nation.
The ongoing Gukurahundi hearings are a testament to this commitment, representing a courageous and necessary step towards healing historical wounds that deeply affected communities and the national psyche.
President Mnangagwa is not only honouring Dr Nkomo’s tireless advocacy for peace and reconciliation but also laying a robust foundation for a genuinely cohesive Zimbabwean society.
This deliberate engagement with Gukurahundi-affected communities, a process once considered taboo, underscores the Second Republic’s dedication to the principles that Dr Nkomo championed throughout his life: unity, peace, and the welfare of all Zimbabweans.
Through palpable deliveries and an unflinching desire to unite the nation, President Mnangagwa’s leadership demonstrates a strong alignment with the late nationalist’s enduring legacy, paving the way for a more integrated and harmonious future for the country.
Through positioning the resolution of these past wrongs as integral to nation-building, President Mnangagwa reinforces national unity.
The hearings thus become a crucial component of national cohesion and shared destiny for all Zimbabweans, actively working towards consolidating unity by confronting and resolving historical divisions.
It is now dawning on many that the Second Republic is serious about preserving Dr Nkomo’s revered name in the psyche of every Zimbabwean.
