JM Nkomo museum opens to public

Since then the foundation has been conducting research and sprucing up the museum and documenting the life of the late nationalist Dr Nkomo.
The museum was a hive of activity yesterday as school heads, education officers and teachers marvelled at the colourful displays and collections of artifacts that epitomise Father Zimbabwe’s illustrious profile.

The museum occupies all the 10 rooms of the previous main house including the veranda where the navy blue bullet-proof Mercedes Benz that the late Father Zimbabwe used is parked.
Inside the rooms are neatly decorated portraits, newspaper cuttings, photographs, clothes, tools, kitchen utensils including all the movable property that the late Dr Nkomo and his wife, the late Johanna popularly known as MaFuyana, used.
Among the notable items in the museum is a love letter that Dr Nkomo wrote to MaFuyana on 2 February 1977 expressing his undying love for her and informing her that he bought her a car as a present to mark their 23rd wedding anniversary.

Included also are Dr Nkomo’s academic accolades and regalia, his library, neatly decorated bedroom, his clothes and rifles.
There is also a narrative of his marriage life, his immediate family and family roots.
Prominently captured are Dr Nkomo’s days during the liberation struggle when, together with the likes of President Mugabe, his close Zipra top brass including Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, the late Lookout Masuku, Nikita Mangena and others, they bravely fought the Ian Smith regime.

His role in the signing of the 22 December 1987 Unity Accord is also well enunciated.
In one of the rooms is a collection of newspaper cuttings about what Dr Nkomo did up to the time of his death and after.
A sombre atmosphere gripped the house when the guests entered a room where Dr Nkomo’s death and after life is chronicled through pictures and narratives on the wall.
Dr Nkomo died on 1 July 1999.

In the room is a book with a collection of condolence messages from Heads of State in Africa and overseas.
There is also a chart highlighting the legacy of lessons that people learn from Dr Nkomo’s profile.
In separate interviews during the tour, the school heads expressed excitement for being exposed to the museum. “This is a noble project and centre for learning that would go a long way towards assisting our pupils to learn the history of this country. It will not only benefit Bulawayo alone but the whole nation. We have all come here to confirm what we have always read about and heard about the late Dr Nkomo and there is no more room for speculation,” said Mr Zibusiso Lunga, the head of Maranatha High School.

St Columbus head Mrs Uyapo Ndebele said she was impressed by the detailed presentations of Dr Nkomo’s life and the history of Zimbabwe.
“I am very impressed about the detail and thorough research that is evidenced here. Surely there is no room for speculation about who Dr Nkomo was,” she said.
Mzilikazi High School head Mr Bhekokuhle Dube concurred.

“We are so impressed about this project. It is very relevant to our history curriculum and useful to our pupils. The museum will attract local and foreign visitors,” said Mr Dube.
Bulawayo deputy provincial education director Mr Richard Swene described the museum as a source of knowledge for generations to come.
“This place is rich and very relevant to all people. It depicts the great sacrifice this gentleman made for the freedom of this country. Children should learn from Dr Nkomo that courage, resilience and determination lead to success,” he said.

The museum trustee member, researcher and renowned historian Mr Pathisa Nyathi said Dr Nkomo was an epitome of Zimbabwe’s history from the pre-independence era where he featured prominently in trade unionism, nationalism and the liberation struggle, which culminated in independence.
He said the museum was a cultural heritage for the country as it told the national story through Dr Nkomo’s life.

During a question and answer segment, participants expressed concern over delays in the re-erection of Dr Nkomo’s statue at the intersection of Main Street and 8th Avenue.
Some sought clarity as to whether Dr Nkomo’s Pelandaba house would be turned into another museum.
There were also questions about the erection of Dr Nkomo’s statue in Harare.
The museum’s director-general Mr Mmilili Tapela said the visit was part of a series of tours by different stakeholders meant to showcase the museum in order to attract a huge audience.

He said the museum was open to all who wanted to pay a visit everyday including during weekends from 9am up to 4.30pm.
Mr Tapela said children would be admitted upon payment of $1 while adults would fork out $2. Foreigners would be required to pay $5 per child and the same amount for adults.

Mr Tapela said the museum management was working on digitalising their services, constructing a lecture room for guests and a coffee shop.
President Mugabe is expected to officially open the museum sometime this year. The opening ceremony is expected to coincide with the unveiling of the statue.