City remembers Umdala Wethu

Prosper Ndlovu and Lorraine Phiri Chronicle Reporters
UNKNOWN people changed Bulawayo’s Main Street to Joshua Nkomo Street while hundreds of people yesterday attended the commemorations of the late Vice-President at Stanley Square. Dr Nkomo died on 1 July 1999 and since then the commemorations have become an annual event as Zimbabweans celebrate his illustrious life.
Residents who spoke to Chronicle yesterday morning said they were surprised to find that the street had been changed without any official notice.
Vendors operating along Main Street said they suspected that the signposts were changed on Sunday night.

“We do not know who placed the sign posts, we only noticed that the street had been changed in the morning when people gathered around to catch a glimpse of the  sign posts,” said an airtime vendor who declined to be named.

Another vendor who identified himself as Mr Artwell Ndlovu said he saw a group of unidentified man “nailing the new sign posts” around the pedestal at the intersection of Main Street and 8th Avenue where the late Dr Nkomo’s statue is supposed to be erected.

“On Sunday afternoon we saw a group of men wearing traditional clothes around the place where the statue is supposed to be erected at the corner of 8th Avenue. We thought it was part of Dr Nkomo’s commemorations,” said Mr Ndlovu.

The news crew observed that the “new” signposts were made of wood painted in black. Some of the signposts were nailed on the trees while some are tied to cover the original street sign.

Yesterday at about 10am a group of people were seen dancing around the pedestal supposedly celebrating the changing of the street name.
The renaming of the street was proposed by Bulawayo Governor Cain Mathema who forwarded the idea to the Bulawayo City Council on 29 July 2006.

The council’s Town Lands and Planning Committee adopted the proposal in 2007, saying there was a need to preserve Dr Nkomo’s legacy for the benefit of future generations.

However, the proposal has not been implemented to date.
Contacted for comment Dr Nkomo’s daughter, Mrs Thandiwe Nkomo Ibrahim said the family was not aware of the renaming of the street.
“We knew that the street was to be renamed in our father’s name but we are not aware that the development has been finally implemented,” she said.
Council also distanced itself from the issue.

“We are not sure who did that. However, you can send your questions in writing so that we verify with senior officials,” said Miss Bongiwe Ngwenya, a public relations officer.

Meanwhile, Dr Nkomo’s commemorations progressed well with business almost coming to a standstill in the city centre as hundreds of people joined the march to commemorate the life of the late Father Zimbabwe.

The large procession, led by drum majorettes and several entertainment groups, began at Christ the King Roman Catholic church at Famona and ended at Stanley Square.

Scores of people could be seen peeping through windows from their offices while others stood on the doors to catch a glimpse of the large crowd.
Among them were those who were putting on traditional regalia and animal head dress similar to the one that Dr Nkomo used to wear.

Others were carrying placards with inscriptions that praised the late Vice-President such as Umdala Wethu, Father Zimbabwe, Nyongolo baba.
Thrilled by the captivating musical presentations and dance, others joined the procession up to Stanley Square. Some of the people who joined in the commemorations were Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, Chief Sigola, the late Vice President Landa John Nkomo’s son, Jabulani, Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Molly Mpofu and historian Mr Pathisa Nyathi.

Different speakers described the late Father Zimbabwe as a celebrated icon who dedicated his life to service the people.
Dr Nkomo’s son Sibangilizwe said his father loved people who played a pivotal role in uniting different tribes.

“He was the father of all Zimbabweans including whites and coloureds. He never discriminated anyone on the basis of language, race or tribe. Zimbabweans should always unite and avoid the divide and rule mentality. Dr Nkomo taught us that despite our different languages we are one nation,” said Mr Nkomo.

“For a long time we have been pursuing foreign ideology and now is the time to go back to our founding cultural values.”
Mr Nkomo said he was not out to influence any political thinking and said his passion was to encourage Zimbabweans to uphold their cultural values.

“There are some who say I am secretly campaigning for Zapu, which is not true. I come to you on a cultural basis and nothing else. My father was a cultural person who consulted ancestors at Njelele. What I am telling you is a message from Njelele,” he said.

Mr Nkomo also urged Zimbabweans to vote peacefully in the forthcoming elections.
Matojeni Cultural Society’s representation Mr Madabuka Moyo said Dr Nkomo’s strength as a leader was drawn from the fact that he upheld cultural values and never discriminated against anyone.

Mr Future Msebele who represented the youth said Dr Nkomo was a fearless man who championed the liberation struggle and urged all the youths to emulate him.

Mrs Grace Noko, a war veteran who represented women said Dr Nkomo was a brave military strategist and commander who never underestimated the role of women in the war of liberation.

She urged Zimbabweans to unite and complained that a lot of problems have arisen after the death of Dr Nkomo.
“We have a lot of problems that started after the death of Dr Nkomo. We have to tell each other the truth and not hide anything. Our history books should tell the truth about happenings in this country,” she said.

“When Dr Nkomo was alive he would speak out when some wrongs were done but now sisele egcekeni. There is a lot of discrimination today and some people are getting jobs while others are not.”

Mr Jabulani Hadebe from the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation said it was the duty of every Zimbabwean to preserve Dr Nkomo’s legacy.
Several entertainment groups that include Matojeni Choir, Ibutho Lesizwe, Phelandaba Choir, Isizwe Sabatsha,   Inqama   Yophondo,   Ezimnyama,   Khaya Arts,   Siyanqoba   Victors,   Sizinda   Nyawu   Dancers, Iluba Lemvelo, Thandanani Women’s Ensemble and Invimbi Arts kept the gathering alive with their performances.

The commemorations for Dr Nkomo would continue up to Saturday with Zanu-PF having lined up its own events.
Zanu-PF Central Committee Member Cde Godfrey Malaba yesterday said the party would hold an inter-district meeting today at Davies Hall in Bulawayo at 2pm to honour Dr Nkomo.

He said on Wednesday there would be a public lecture by the party’s provincial chairman Professor Callistus Ndlovu at the Small City Hall.
On Thursday public lectures would also be held at Pelandaba, Pumula, Nkulumane and Luveve’s Beit Halls. Veteran journalist Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu and historian Mr Pathisa Nyathi would join Prof Ndlovu in conducting the lectures.

Former Midlands Governor Dr Cephas Msipa would conduct another lecture for students and members of the public at the Bulawayo Polytechnic’s School of Hospitality on Friday.

The commemorations will end with a rally at White City Stadium on Saturday.