adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
A FUNDRAISING dinner to raise money to preserve the legacy of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo held at the weekend, surpassed expectations.
The chairperson of the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation (JNNF) Jabulani Hadebe yesterday said $16,300 to be used towards documenting Father Zimbabwe’s life and rehabilitating the Joshua Nkomo Museum was raised in a single night.
The foundation is still receiving contributions from well-wishers even after the fundraising dinner, Hadebe added.
The JNNF had set $15,000 as the minimum amount to be raised at the function that was held at a local hotel on Saturday.
Hadebe expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support they received from the public saying this was going to fulfil their objectives.
“We are quite happy with the contributions that were made. We are still expecting more as others had only pledged. At the moment we have received $16,300,” said Hadebe.
He said other organisations pledged to offer materials for the renovation of the museum.
“Hawk Flight construction pledged a three-tonne truck of bricks. Mosamayo Lodge pledged 30 bags of cement, Colbro pledged to offer free truck services for anything we would like to transport,” he said.
He said other notable contributions were made by the Senior Minister in the President’s Office Cde Simon Khaya Moyo who sourced $2,500; the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Bulawayo Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo who sourced $1,000 while an anonymous person from the provincial minister’s office also made a $1,000 contribution.
Hadebe said the funds that were raised will come in handy as they seek to digitalise the life of Father Zimbabwe.
“We want all records on his life to be in electronic or digital formats so that in case of fire we can retrieve all the information,” said Hadebe.
He said the museum is a non-profit making organisation and the contributions made will assist in making itself sustainable.
Hadebe said the museum will benefit the public as it chronicles the life of Dr Nkomo.
Online Reporter