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The book titled, Bayethe KaNyongolo: Izibongo ZikaJoshua Nkomo lamanye amaqhawe, is set to be officially launched mid-next month and was edited by Calvin Dube.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Governor Ambassador Cain Mathema is among the 15 poets that contributed to the book with a poem titled, Wen’ okanyongolo.
The book has 32 poems about the late VP Nkomo and has 139 pages.
Other poems are in honour of national heroes such as Dr Nkomo’s late wife Mama MaFuyana, the late Vice- President Dr Joseph Msika, the late Cdes Herbert Chitepo, Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Alfred Nikita Mangena, and Josiah Magama Tongogara among others.
In an interview yesterday at Njube High School where Dube is deputy head, he said it was an honour to work with other poets to honour the liberators of Zimbabwe.
He said the official launch was moved to next month because they did not want to create a counter attraction.
“Since tomorrow there is a public lecture at Nust for the late Vice-President Nkomo and something the next day at Stanley Square we decided not to have a counter- attraction since all these events are happening. It is such an honour to write poems for our heroes that liberated us from oppression and gave us these opportunities,” said Dube.
He said those he worked with on the book were talented individuals that had the passion for the nation’s history to be preserved.
“If we do not honour our heroes who will? The writers who worked on the poems want to have the nation’s liberation history preserved for future generations. That is why I was keen to work with them,” said Dube.
He said research took them two years and they interviewed family members of fallen national heroes.
“We interviewed war vets, families of the late national heroes and their friends. Some of the poems were recited at their burials and were taken like that and added to the book,” said Dube.
He said the poems could be turned into praise songs in honour of national heroes.
Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo was born on 19 June 1917 and died on 1 July 1999.
He was the leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu).
He was affectionately known in Zimbabwe as “Father Zimbabwe”, “Umdala Wethu”, “Umafukufuku” and “Chibwechitedza” (The slippery rock).
Online Reporter