Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
AS Zimbabwe continues to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the passing of Father Zimbabwe, Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, efforts to preserve his enduring legacy have gathered momentum, with plans underway to establish a national leadership centre that will groom future leaders in ethical, inclusive and developmental leadership anchored on his principles.
The proposed leadership centre, spearheaded by the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation (JNNF) in partnership with the Nkomo family, forms part of a broader strategy to institutionalise the values that defined one of Zimbabwe’s foremost liberation icons and nation-builders.
In an interview, Dr Nkomo’s eldest daughter, Mrs Thandiwe Nkomo-Ibrahim, said the initiative seeks to ensure that Father Zimbabwe’s philosophy of servant leadership, national unity and reconciliation continues to shape future generations.
She said Dr Nkomo’s vision of unity remained one of the defining pillars of Zimbabwe’s nationhood.
“He believed that a united Zimbabwe was stronger than a divided Zimbabwe. His vision was never about exclusion but about bringing everyone together to build one nation,” said Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim.
She said preserving Dr Nkomo’s legacy required more than commemorative events, but the establishment of enduring institutions capable of transmitting his values to future generations.
“We want to build a lasting memorial — a leadership centre where the values of the old man will be taught,” she said.
Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim said the centre would nurture leaders who place national interests above personal ambitions while promoting integrity, servant leadership and inclusive development.
She revealed that the foundation was also pursuing partnerships with local and international institutions of higher learning to ensure Dr Nkomo’s philosophy becomes part of academic discourse.
“We are also looking at partnering with Lupane State University and other international universities so that his philosophy of leadership becomes part of academic learning,” she said.
Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim said there was an urgent need to deliberately invest in developing principled leaders capable of driving Zimbabwe’s long-term national development agenda.
“We have realised there is a need to train future leaders so that our country continues to be governed in a manner that benefits everyone and creates opportunities for young people,” she said.
She said the leadership centre would complement other legacy preservation initiatives being undertaken by the family and the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation, including the expansion of the Joshua Nkomo Museum, the establishment of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Vocational Training Centre and other educational programmes aimed at inspiring young Zimbabweans.
Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim said Father Zimbabwe’s greatest legacy was not merely his contribution to the liberation struggle, but the values he espoused throughout his life — peace, unity, reconciliation, humility and selfless service.
She said it was through such institutions that Zimbabwe would ensure those ideals continued to guide future generations long after the liberation generation had passed on.
The leadership centre is expected to become one of the flagship legacy projects dedicated to preserving the philosophy of Father Zimbabwe, whose contribution to the country’s liberation and nation-building continues to inspire Zimbabweans 27 years after his passing.
