Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
THE National University of Science and Technology will, on Sunday, transform its campus into a moving tribute as it hosts a marathon in honour of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, one of Zimbabwe’s most revered liberation icons and a towering son of Matobo district in Matabeleland South.
The Joshua Nkomo Peace Marathon at Nust is expected to draw large crowds and attract athletes from across the country, united by a shared desire to celebrate a man whose name is synonymous with peace, reconciliation and national unity.
Organised by the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Project Trust, the marathon seeks to do more than test physical endurance. It is designed to celebrate and preserve Father Zimbabwe’s enduring message of peace, unity and hope — values that continue to resonate deeply decades after independence and which remain as relevant today as they were during the country’s formative years.
From elite runners chasing podium finishes to social athletes running for meaning rather than medals, hundreds are expected to gather for the event. The race features a range of categories, including the demanding 42,2km full marathon, the 21,1km half marathon, a competitive 10km road race and a 5km junior fun run aimed at drawing younger participants into the spirit of remembrance and fitness.
True to Dr Nkomo’s inclusive philosophy, organisers have deliberately ensured that no one is left out. An 18km category has been introduced for differently abled athletes, reinforcing the marathon’s commitment to inclusivity and reflecting the values of equality and dignity that defined Nkomo’s life and leadership.
Registration for the event remains open, with participants able to collect their race packs from April 23 at the Nust campus, where anticipation is already building ahead of Sunday’s run.
The race will begin at 5.30AM, as runners take to the still quiet streets of Bulawayo, embarking on what promises to be both a physically demanding and emotionally stirring journey through the city. As the sun rises, the pace of footsteps will echo stories of endurance, memory and tribute.
Although prize money will be awarded across all categories, organisers have been quick to underline that the heart of the marathon lies far beyond competition and medals.
“This is about bringing people together, running in the footsteps of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and carrying forward his vision of a united Zimbabwe,” said the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Project Trust.
Along the route, communities are preparing to line the streets, ready to cheer, sing and offer encouragement, turning the marathon into a carnival like celebration marked by music, colour and moments of quiet reflection.
For many participants and spectators alike, the event represents far more than a race. It is a living celebration of a liberation icon whose roots stretch back to Kezi in Matabeleland South, and whose legacy of tolerance, peace and nation building continues to inspire generations.
As Zimbabwe reflects on its 46 year journey since independence, Bulawayo will on Sunday not merely host a marathon. It will honour one of its greatest sons, step by step, stride by stride, carrying forward a legacy that still calls for unity, peace and shared purpose.
@FungaiMuderere
