Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, [email protected]
THE family of the late veteran nationalist and Vice-President, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, has paid glowing tribute to the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa for transforming the legacy of one of Zimbabwe’s founding fathers from historical memory into enduring national institutions through landmark heritage and empowerment projects.
As Zimbabwe marked the 27th anniversary of the passing of Father Zimbabwe yesterday, the Nkomo family also appealed for July 1 to be declared a national public holiday in honour of the liberation icon whose contribution to the country’s independence transcended political divides.
The family further expressed profound appreciation to President Mnangagwa for taking this year’s 46th Independence Day celebrations to Maphisa in Matobo District, Matabeleland South province, Dr Nkomo’s home district, describing the occasion as a historic “homecoming” for the revered nationalist whose vision helped shape an independent Zimbabwe.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Zimpapers, Dr Nkomo’s eldest daughter, Mrs Thandiwe Nkomo-Ibrahim, said the construction of the Nyongolo Guesthouse at the Nkomo ancestral homestead and the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Vocational Training Centre demonstrated Government’s unwavering commitment to preserving the legacy of Father Zimbabwe through tangible development.
“As the Nkomo family and the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation (JNNF), we want to express our sincere gratitude to the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa for the symbolic and practical gesture of constructing the Nyongolo Guesthouse at Dr Nkomo’s ancestral homestead and the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Vocational Training Centre,” she said.
“It’s a clear demonstration of the Second Republic’s commitment to honouring our national heroes not just with words, but through tangible development that will benefit generations to come.”
Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim said the projects fulfilled a pledge personally made by President Mnangagwa after he consulted the family on how best the Government could preserve the legacy of the liberation icon.
“When President Mnangagwa visited, he invited me for a discussion and asked how the Government and the Second Republic could preserve Umdala Wethu’s legacy.
“He wanted to hear directly from the family what our wishes were, and he promised to support them,” she said.
“I told him that my father’s birthplace had virtually become desolate. There was nothing that truly reflected that this was the birthplace of one of Zimbabwe’s foremost liberation heroes, a leader whose influence extended beyond our borders.
“We wanted the homestead to be preserved so that people from the area and visitors alike could proudly identify it as the birthplace of Father Zimbabwe.
“True to his word, the President fulfilled that promise. Today, the homestead has been transformed and construction of the vocational training centre is progressing. We sincerely thank the President for honouring his commitment.”
Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim said the family equally appreciated President Mnangagwa’s decision to decentralise this year’s Independence Day celebrations to Maphisa, saying it was a fitting recognition of Dr Nkomo’s immeasurable contribution to the liberation struggle.
“As a family, we felt recognised and deeply honoured. Hosting the Independence celebrations in Maphisa was not only historic for the community but also a powerful acknowledgement of the immense role played by Father Zimbabwe in the liberation of this country.”
She said the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Vocational Training Centre would help transform the lives of young people, particularly in Matabeleland South, where many school leavers migrate to neighbouring countries in search of employment opportunities.
“The vocational training centre will equip our young people with practical skills such as building, welding, carpentry, mechanics and agriculture.
“This will go a long way in addressing the challenges facing many youths in Matabeleland South.
“Too many of them leave school and immediately cross into Botswana or South Africa because opportunities are limited,” she said.
“This institution will provide them with skills to create livelihoods at home.”
Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim said the family and the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation were working closely with the Government on several projects aimed at preserving Dr Nkomo’s rich legacy for future generations.
“We are working in partnership with the Government on several initiatives, including expanding the Joshua Nkomo Museum, establishing a centre of excellence, erecting another statue of Dr Nkomo in Harare and ensuring that the vocational training centre becomes fully operational.
“We want future generations to fully appreciate his contribution to Zimbabwe and understand the values he stood for.”
She said July 1 remained an emotional day for both the Nkomo family and the nation as Zimbabwe remembers one of its greatest sons.
“Today is a significant day for us as a family and for the nation. It is a day of remembrance.
“It brings painful memories, but it is also comforting because Zimbabweans continue to celebrate Father Zimbabwe.
“When you switch on the radio today, you hear songs celebrating his life. That tells us people have not forgotten his contribution.
“They still remember the great works he did for this country and we want those values to continue inspiring future generations.”
Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim said commemorating Dr Nkomo was particularly important in educating young Zimbabweans born after Independence about the sacrifices made by the liberation generation.
“This day must educate the youth, especially those born after Independence.
“They need to understand that freedom did not come easily. Leaders such as Dr Nkomo dedicated their lives to uniting the people against colonial rule, enduring detention, imprisonment and persecution so that Zimbabwe could become free,” she said.
“He always preached peace, justice and unity. He opposed arbitrary arrests and oppression because he believed every Zimbabwean deserved freedom and dignity.”
The family also renewed its appeal for July 1 to be declared a national public holiday in honour of Father Zimbabwe.
“As a family and as the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation, we are appealing for July 1 to be declared a national holiday because Father Zimbabwe was not simply a title that was coined.
“It reflected the enormous role Dr Nkomo played in liberating this country,” she said.
“If this day became a national holiday, Zimbabweans from across the country would gather to celebrate his life and legacy through music, poetry, lectures and cultural activities that would teach especially young people about the liberation struggle and the values he stood for.”
Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim said one of the Foundation’s flagship annual programmes, the Joshua Nkomo Memorial Lecture, would continue to provide an important platform for discussing youth leadership, national unity and nation-building.
“Beyond July 1, the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation (JNNF) has lined up a month-long programme of activities designed to keep Father Zimbabwe’s philosophy alive.
“Among the flagship events is the Joshua Nkomo Memorial Lecture on July 4, which will focus on youth leadership and politics.
“We want young people to engage with the ideals that guided my father’s leadership and understand why those values remain important today,” Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim said.
She also appealed for the operationalisation of Ekusileni Medical Centre, saying it remained one of Dr Nkomo’s most cherished developmental dreams.
“My father wanted Zimbabweans to access specialised medical treatment at home rather than travelling abroad.
“His vision was for centres of excellence such as Ekusileni Medical Centre to provide world-class healthcare for Zimbabweans in their own country, surrounded by their families,” said Mrs Nkomo-Ibrahim.
“We hope to see that dream fully realised because it remains one of the most enduring aspects of his development philosophy.”
For the Nkomo family, the preservation of Father Zimbabwe’s legacy is no longer confined to statues and museums.
Through the Second Republic’s investment in heritage preservation, youth empowerment and community development, they believe the ideals that defined Dr Joshua Nkomo’s life are being translated into practical programmes that will continue shaping Zimbabwe long into the future.
