Govt to re-erect Nkomo statue

commemoration of Heroes’ Day next month, the Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi has said.
In an interview yesterday, Minister Mohadi said the statue that was pulled down would be re-erected after adjusting the size of its pedestal.
Minister Mohadi said the statue, which was supposed to be erected in Harare at the same time, would be put on hold.
“We have reached a compromise with the Nkomo family. They felt that the statue’s pedestal was too low and we agreed that it would be raised. Once it has been raised, then we will erect the statue,” said Minister Mohadi. “It would be good if we complete the work before this year’s Heroes’ Day commemorations. Time is not on our side but we will meet the deadline,” he said. Minister Mohadi said various committees, which include family members would spearhead the work on the re-erection of the statue. He said all those involved had already agreed on a suitable stand to mount it.
“The committees are working. On Monday they took us through demonstrations of the recommended stands and the family settled for the one they thought was most fitting. We decided that it should blend with surrounding buildings which are mostly sandstone and granite,” said Minister Mohadi.
He said no alterations would be made on the statue although the pedestal would be inscribed on all the four sides showing the works of the late nationalist.
“We will inscribe the pedestal in English, SiNdebele, Shona and maybe Kalanga depicting the works of the old man. We will also capture his names such as Chibwechitedza, Umdala Wethu and Father Zimbabwe,” said Minister Mohadi. The late nationalist’s statue was pulled down on September 16 last year, a few weeks after it was erected as the family objected to its erection on the grounds that it did not capture the exact attributes of the late Vice President.
The statue was then taken to the Bulawayo Museum by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) where it is being kept. However, in May the two parties agreed to re-erect the statues after ironing out their differences. Meanwhile, there will be celebrations in Matsheumhlope in Bulawayo tomorrow as the nation commemorates the 12th anniversary of the death of Vice President Nkomo.
The Nkomo home at Matsheumhlope has been turned into a museum.
Chairperson of the Joshua Nkomo Foundation Board of Trustees Minister Francis Nhema said the eventful day will feature poems, music and dance.