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Government officials, politicians as well as ordinary people were at the family home as early as 9am to bid farewell to the national hero.
These included Matabeleland South Governor Angeline Masuku and her acting provincial administrator Mr Midard Khumalo, Zanu-PF Politburo members Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and Cde Molly Mpofu, Senate deputy president Cde Naison Kutshwekhaya Ndlovu, the party’s secretary for Youth Cde Absalom Sikhosana, Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa and prominent Bulawayo businessman Mr Raj Modi and Zanu-PF youths from Matabeleland.
The church service and body viewing that were supposed to have been held at 10am were delayed because the body arrived late from Tsholotsho due to bad weather.
The church service and body viewing were done at midday.
Addressing mourners at the late VP Nkomo’s Worringham home, Zanu-PF national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said not only the people of Tsholotsho had lost torchbearer but the country at large.
“We left his mother, Gogo MaDube, in Tsholotsho and our hearts are broken because the light which was not only for Tsholotsho but for the whole of Zimbabwe has been put out,” he said.
“When the sad incident occurred, His Excellency, the President said his left hand is no longer there because his vice had passed on,” he said.
Cde Moyo said President Mugabe sent Politburo members to accompany the late VP Nkomo’s body to his rural home in Tsholotsho before burial at the National Heroes Acre today.
“He chose Cdes Mutasa, Mnangagwa, Sekeramayi, Gumbo, Mohadi, Muchinguri and Sikhosana. He sent us to accompany his vice to Tsholotsho.
“We got there yesterday and were welcomed so gratefully. We presented his body to Gogo MaDube and all the other relatives,” Cde Moyo said.
He paid tribute to the unity shown by the people who came to bid VP Nkomo farewell.
The Minister of Water Resources Management and Development who is also his brother, Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo thanked President Mugabe for the honour he bestowed on his late brother.
“Thank you President for the honour bestowed on my brother. My colleagues in Cabinet thank you for the greatest honour in the land bestowed on my brother.
“He has rested, we were observing in the last days that he was unwell. We thank God for letting him sleep,” he said.
“No one can dodge death. It is something that God has designed,” said Dr Nkomo.
He said his late brother was nicknamed “Bomber” because he did not tolerate nonsense.
“Those who grew up with him did not become fools, because he did not tolerate nonsense, that is why his nickname was Bomber,” he said.
From Worringham the funeral procession proceeded to the Large City Hall, where thousands of people, including party members and youths chanted slogans and revolutionary songs.
The heavy rains did not deter the hundreds of people who waited for hours to bid farewell to their national hero.
His body arrived at the City Hall at about 3pm accompanied by the Minister of Defence Cde Emmerson Mngangagwa, Zanu-PF national chairman, Cde Khaya Moyo, Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, Minister of State Security Cde Sydney Sekeramayi, Zanu-PF national spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo and Zanu-PF Women’s League secretary Cde Oppah Muchinguri.
Addressing mourners Governor Mathema expressed his condolences to the Nkomo family, saying the people of Bulawayo had joined the family in mourning a gallant son of the soil.
“Bulawayo is mourning together with the Nkomo family, but we also take this opportunity to look back and cherish his political career, where he was ill-treated by colonialists and struggled to liberate the people of Zimbabwe,” said Governor Mathema.
“We promise him that whatever he left behind will forever be appreciated and his legacy will live forever.
Cde Khaya Moyo described VP Nkomo as a wonderful man who strove to unify the people of Zimbabwe and bring development to the nation.
“This wonderful man, our dear departed VP and second Zanu-PF secretary was a teacher by profession, a trade unionist by circumstance and a politician by design. He was a great father who should be emulated by all.
“His Excellency, President Mugabe sent us to accompany this great man, and his family has allowed us to bury him at the National Heroes Acre in Harare. He will be buried tomorrow where President Mugabe will speak,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
He said VP Nkomo was a unifier, which is why people from all walks of life had gathered to bid him farewell, regardless of their political affiliations.
“People from all walks of life are gathered here today because VP Nkomo was a unifier, a reconciler and a man of vision.
“It is therefore important for the nation to uphold his values and follow his footsteps, if we are to have a better nation,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Nkomo family, Minister Sipepa Nkomo thanked the nation for supporting the family during this time of grief and sorrow.
“As the Nkomo family we have agreed that VP Nkomo be buried at the national shrine and we want to thank the people of Zimbabwe for supporting us during this difficult time.
“VP Nkomo was my brother and it is sad that we have lost a unifier, who never cared where people belonged, but wanted to see development in the country.
“We never discussed politics at home and we respected each others’ choices. We will dearly miss him,” said Minister Sipepa Nkomo.
Online Reporter