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Vusumuzi Dube, Sunday News Reporter
COMMEMORATIONS to mark the 17th anniversary of the death of Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo are at an advanced stage with the organisers revealing that this year the event will see all political parties in the country participating in a bid to emulate the late veteran politician’s Father Zimbabwe’s status.
One of the organisers of the annual event, chief executive officer of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo National Foundation Mr Jabulani Hadebe, said they have engaged all political parties in the country, who had confirmed their participation for the commemorations set for this Friday in Bulawayo.
The Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo National Foundation is responsible for nurturing and preserving the legacy of Dr Nkomo through various projects. The foundation runs projects which include Joshua Nkomo Museum, UMdala Wethu Music Festival and the Joshua Nkomo Golf Classic.
Mr Hadebe said they had decided on the move as a way of honouring the late Vice-President’s Father Zimbabwe status in the country.
“As we all know, Umdala Wethu was a unifier hence the name Father Zimbabwe which is why this year we resolved to invite all political parties in the country who will be part of the commemorations.
“These parties, including the ruling Zanu-PF, will give solidarity messages during the commemorations. This will be an apolitical event so everyone is invited, we will simply be celebrating the life of our father and leader Dr Joshua Nkomo,” said Mr Hadebe.
On the actual day, Mr Hadebe said they will begin with the General Josh Solidarity March, which will pass through the Dr Joshua Nkomo statue in Bulawayo and finally converge on Stanley Square in Makokoba where the main celebrations will be held.
Dr Nkomo died on 1 July 1999 and was buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
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