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Entertainment Correspondent
LONG live the legacy of Father Zimbabwe! Bulawayo’s Main Street has been renamed and the statue unveiled on Unity Day! President Mugabe officially unveiled a three-metre statue of Dr Nkomo and also officiated at the ceremony to rename Main Street to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street.
Thousands of Zimbabweans yesterday gathered in Bulawayo to doubly celebrate the 1987 Unity Accord and the life of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko kaNyongolo Nkomo.
The statue will remain a permanent reminder in Bulawayo of the lasting legacy of unity, peace and nation-building, principles Dr Nkomo stood for.
The atmosphere was showered with a plethora of entertainment programmes that showed Bulawayo could hold its own during national events.
Ndux Junior with his fast paced songs set the tone for the other acts sending the crowd into wild cheers. Not to be outdone, raunchy dance queen Sandra Ndebele was back to her antics when she showed that “age ain’t nothing but a number” as she did her famous 180-degree split.
Mai na Baba Charamba also played gospel tracks to give the mood a touch of holiness. Chase Skuza, Martin Sibanda and man-of-the- moment Sulumani “Batai Munhu” Chimbetu could not be outdone and came out guns blazing with scintillating performances.
While all these groups and dancers were on stage the crowd took to the dance floor. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street was cordoned off to allow the festivities to take place.
Black Umfolosi got the ball rolling at the newly commissioned Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, along side Jeys Marabini and a host of other groups.
At the statue unveiling ceremony, award winning Thandanani Dance Ensemble did not disappoint as they did isitshikitsha dance. Umkhathi Theatre works welcomed the guests with song and dance.
As the crowd jostled for a glimpse of the statue, veteran poet and historian Pathisa Nyathi took to the stage with a poem praising the late Vice-President much to the delight of the thousands who turned out to witness the historical event.
Drum majorettes from different schools also gave a good account of themselves. President Mugabe said it was important for people to remain united and guard steadfastly, the gains of the country’s Independence.
His message was reiterated in Black Umfolosi’s popular Unity Day song, Unity. They led the crowd in singing the song and showed that they are truly Bulawayo and Zimbabwe’s cultural ambassadors.
The hymn resonating from all corners of the venue was “Long Live Dr Joshua Nkomo, the liberator of Zimbabwe the African legend.”
Online Reporter