Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa on Tuesday remembered former Vice President Joshua Nkomo, saying as the nation derives inspiration from him and those of his generation, it continues to scale new heights in the upliftment of ordinary Zimbabweans.
The late nationalist died on July 1, 1999, making this year’s commemoration the 26th anniversary since his demise.
In a statement, President Mnangagwa said Cde Nkomo sacrificed his life for the freedom of Zimbabweans.
“Today, 1st of July, the nation of Zimbabwe joins the Nkomo Family in remembering our liberation luminary and National Hero, former Vice President “Father Zimbabwe” Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, on the 26th Anniversary of his demise,” said President Mnangagwa.
“From humble origins under successive colonial governments, Dr Joshua Nkomo devoted an entire life to raising national consciousness among his oppressed countrymen and women, whom he, together with other revolutionaries, subsequently led during the protracted nationalist and armed struggle,” the President said.
“His close associates during the formative years of nationalist movements, among them the late Benjamin Burombo, Masotsha Ndlovu, George Nyandoro, Michael Mawema, Morton Malianga and the late President Cde RG Mugabe worked with the towering personality of Dr Nkomo in forming the National Democratic Party with the sole objective of liberating our nation from the shackles of colonial subjugation and oppression.
“The wheels of the revolution never stopped thereafter, until the birth of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe in 1980.”
President Mnangagwa said VP Nkomo was passionate about land as the major reason for waging the war of liberation that saw Zimbabwe attain independence in 1980.
“’Chibwe Chitedza’, as Dr Nkomo came to be popularly known, endured imprisonment in notorious camps such as Gonakudzingwa, but the colonial efforts failed to break his spirit. Today, 26 years later, Zimbabwe can look back with pride on the life of a liberator, an astute politician and a champion of Pan-Africanism.
“A true son of the soil, Dr Nkomo was passionate about the land as the major reason for which the armed struggle had been waged. In a cruel twist of fate, Dr Nkomo did not live to witness the Land Reform Programme, which commenced a year after his demise,” said the President.
