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The portrait called, “Man of the Moment” of President Mugabe was a gift to Eng Mzembi from Friends of Joshua Trust at the end of the official opening ceremony of ATA.
The guest of honour, Vice-President Joice Mujuru was given a portrait of Mbuya Nehanda while ATA executive director Mr Edward Bergman was handed a portrait of King Lobengula.
Ms Beverly Pullen, the chief executive officer of Friends of Joshua Trust, said the portraits were part of the exhibition to be taken to India to market Zimbabwe’s history to the world.
She said they decided to give VP Mujuru Mbuya Nehanda’s portrait because Vice-President represented a true African, caring and goal getting woman.
Accepting the portrait VP Mujuru said: “Mbuya Nehanda was hanged in 1896 at a famous tree that was recently put down by the Harare City Council.
“She represents the courage we have, the courage that made me at the age of 18 to leave my parents for war and prove that there is no difference between a girl and boy child.”
Mr Bergman said he was going to put King Lobengula’s portrait at the ATA headquarters in United States of America.
Then accepting President Mugabe’s portrait, Eng Mzembi took everyone by surprise when he shed tears.
In an interview after receiving the portrait, Eng Mzembi said he wept because it was so difficult to explain to the nation the significance of serving under the founding leader of the country.
He said sharing the experience and founding philosophy of nationhood was done directly and not read in books.
“We live to experience such legacy from founding fathers like Nkwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Seretse Khama.
“It will never be the same experience past these personalities because every presidency has its own legacy and nothing beats that of founding fathers,” he said.
“For me to have found favour with the nation’s founding President in 2006, some 26 years after independence among other Zimbabweans when I was appointed Deputy Minister and then Minister among other Zimbabweans to have been seen that I can deliver national mandates on his behalf is the greatest honour. I thank my God who is also his God for having inspired him to pick on me.”
ATA congress continues today.
Online Reporter