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Bongani Ndlovu Entertainment Correspondent
THE legacy of the late vice president Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo continues to be acknowledged as a local cultural group, Matojeni Cultural Society on Friday also paid tribute to Father Zimbabwe. The Bulawayo-based cultural ensemble on Friday afternoon visited the national hero’s statue on JMN Nkomo Street to celebrate its erection and the renaming of the street.
Traffic came to a stand still as people stood and watched the group sing and dance isitshikitsha at the statue.
A daring motorist parked his car in the middle of the road, got out of his car and danced along with the group.
Photographers seized the opportunity to take photos of the dance group as they entertained the crowd.
The chairman of the 25-member group, Albert Nyoni said ever since 2010 they had advocated for the renaming of the street.
He said it was an honour to finally see their dream come true and that was why they performed a traditional rite (ukuthethela) thanking Dr Nkomo for being the great leader he was.
“We have been advocating for the renaming of the street since 2010 when the group was formed.
“We are happy that our dream has come true and that is why we are here to perform in front of the crowd,” said Nyoni.
He said they faced numerous financial problems to fund their trips to various parts of the country.
Dr Joshua Nkomo statue has become a major attraction in the City of Kings.
Thousands of people last year thronged Bulawayo central business district to witness President Mugabe unveiling the statue of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo. The statue has become part of the country’s heritage.
Sculpted in a suit and tie and with a walking stick in his right hand, Dr Nkomo looks commandingly northward, up along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street, which was also named after him on the same day.
The statue has a muted smile. He leans slightly backward, a true representation of the late Dr Nkomo who was a big man not only physically, but politically too.
Online Reporter