Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Project Trust and the National University of Science and Technology stepped into a new phase of their partnership at a fundraising gala held at Nust’s Ceremonial Hall over the weekend.
The event set in motion a series of cultural, sporting and educational projects meant to carry Joshua Nkomo’s values of peace, unity, and national development into 2026.
The programme features the Indigenous Games and Oral History Conference, the Joshua Nkomo High Performance Fitness and Wellness Centre, and the Joshua Nkomo Peace Marathon. The Indigenous Games and Oral History Conference runs from 26 to 27 February, the Peace Marathon is on 26 April, and the high-performance centre is set to open next year at Nust.
Minister of State and Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Judith Ncube had her remarks delivered by Director of Finance, Administration and Human Resources Morres Mbewe, who underscored the alignment between the Trust and national policy.
“This is why the partnership we celebrate tonight between the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Project Trust and our own National University of Science and Technology is so profoundly aligned with the vision of our Government.
We see in this collaboration the very essence of what we must become. We are on a deliberate journey, guided by the beacon of Vision 2030, to work towards the prosperity of Zimbabwe.
“As a country, we are moving into the National Development Strategy NDS2. So, when you all come together with such innovation, unity and honouring our heritage, we prove that it is not just Government policy; it is a collective awakening to how each one of us can build Zimbabwe. As our President, His Excellency Dr. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, has consistently taught us, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, Ilizwe Lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’, a nation is built by its own people. This is the cornerstone of our philosophy,” said Mbewe.
Trust founding trustee and chairperson Mehluli Moyo said the initiative is rooted in safeguarding and carrying forward Nkomo’s life’s work.
“We gather not only to celebrate a partnership but to reignite the torch of a legacy that has shaped our nation; the legacy of Father Zimbabwe, Dr. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo. Our Trust was founded on a simple yet powerful mission: to ensure that the values Dr. Nkomo stood for, values such as peace, unity, resilience and self-sufficiency, are not confined to history books but are woven into the fabric of our nation’s future. Dr. Nkomo’s life was a testament to the philosophy of ‘I Am Because You Are,’ a reminder that our individual strides are rooted in the sacrifices of those who came before us.”
Nust Vice Chancellor Professor Mqhele Dlodlo said the partnership reflects the practical impact of education grounded in national identity.
“For those unfamiliar with his legacy, Dr. Nkomo was not merely a liberation hero, but a nation builder whose vision was built on the twin pillars of peace and unity. These are not just abstract concepts to be admired, but living values we must actively cultivate. In this spirit, I call upon every one of our students, in your lecture halls, your residences and your online forums, to treat one another with the dignity and respect that Father Zimbabwe championed. Let our campus be a living testament to the unity he fought for, a microcosm of the Zimbabwe we are all building together.
“This partnership represents the ultimate expression of Education 5.0 in action. It moves beyond theoretical frameworks to practical implementation, perfectly aligned with the National Development Strategy NDS2. We are particularly grateful to the Nkomo family and all the Trust’s stakeholders. Your unwavering efforts are what make heritage-based education a tangible reality for our learners. You are helping a new generation fully grasp what the Government means when it speaks of an education rooted in our identity, our history and our values,” said Dlodlo.
The high-performance centre is set to serve as a regional hub blending athletic development with scientific research. The Indigenous Games and Oral History Conference aims to protect cultural heritage while opening space for skills transfer. The Peace Marathon seeks to bring communities together, promote active lifestyles and build national pride.
Through this partnership, the Trust and Nust intend to reinforce Nkomo’s message of unity and progress, making sure his ideals continue to shape Zimbabwe’s development path.
derick.khumalo