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FATHER Zimbabwe Dr Joshua Nkomo would have turned 98 today, having been born on June 19, 1917. We remember him not because he was born on this day, but for his selfless contribution to the liberation and development of Zimbabwe as an independent, self-governing, unitary state.
Those familiar with the man may remember the slogan “kwese kwese Joshua Nkomo’’ or the moniker “Chibwechitedza’’. Even a Grade One pupil will realise these are Shona words even though Dr Nkomo was born in Kezi, Matabeleland South Province and was of Sotho extraction.
The bottom line is, even though Dr Nkomo was born and grew up in Matabeleland, he never limited his politics to an ethnic or regional group as we see some who claim to respect his legacy try to do today.
Names that come to mind are Dumiso Dabengwa, Paul Siwela and the so-called Mthwakazi Liberation Front that have, however, failed to find followers.
We thank Zimbabweans for giving such political dwarfs a wide berth.
Dr Nkomo was a national leader, hence the slogan “kwese kwese Joshua Nkomo’’.
Zapu was not a regional party, but had structures everywhere, in all parts of the country which is why its top leadership was made up of Zimbabweans from various parts of the country, a case in point being party vice president Dr Samuel Parirenyatwa.
Dr Nkomo saw Zimbabwe as one polity from Zambezi to Limpopo which is why he towers in the history of this country and wouldn’t have suffered the dwarf’s hankering after his colossal robes.
As we commemorate his birthday today, let us ask ourselves whether our pursuits, what we claim to be doing in his name today would please him if he were to wake up today?
Would he subscribe to the vision or lack thereof of the so-called MLF? Would he identify Dabengwa’s contraption as the Zapu he led up to 1987, the Zapu that entered into a unity accord with ZANU to create present day Zanu-PF?
We bet our bottom dollar that Father Zimbabwe would frown on the midgets trying to take this country where it has never been because from the time of the launch of the nationalist struggle Dr Nkomo never identified himself with tribe or region, but the Zimbabwe he was fighting to liberate which is why we remember him as Father Zimbabwe.
On that historic day on December 22, 1987 as he embraced with President Mugabe after the signing of the Unity Accord, that embrace was more than the coming together of two great men, or two political parties, but the coming together of Zimbabweans as a nation.
This is why the minions who today want to whip up emotions over Gukurahundi or work for the secession of Matabeleland are just that, minions, not even fit to tie the great man’s shoes.
As we go about our business today, in our different spheres of activity, let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals of the great man who slumbers at the National Shrine, he was prepared to give his life for Zimbabwe, not a portion of it.
Let us shun all who want us to insult his memory.
Online Reporter