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Fortious Nhambura and Sarudzai Mupangi
December 22, 2013 will rank as the most remembered Unity Day celebrations for years. It was the day on which not only the country celebrated the founding and consummation of the unity of the two liberation parties but the day Zimbabwe honoured one of its founding fathers, the late Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, also known as Father Zimbabwe.
Three important features have added an indelible mark at this year’s commemorations held in Bulawayo, where Dr Nkomo started his political career as a trade unionist.
These are the commissioning of the refurbished Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, renaming of Main Street in Bulawayo to Joshua Nkomo Street and unveiling of the giant stature at heart of the City of Kings and Queens.
The three historic marks were fittingly commissioned by President Mugabe, his co-principal in signing the Unity Accord that saw the two liberation movements ZANU (PF) and (PF) ZAPU merge to form a strong ZANU-PF.
What a way to honour a man who only not led the struggle for the emancipation of Zimbabweans, but also helped craft and shape the country’s unity. A co-architect of the unity and peace we enjoy today in a continent that is synonymous with conflict. The threesome honour of the late Father Zimbabwe thus crystallised the unity that the country enjoys today.
This honour is not only special to the family of the late liberation icon but is the most fitting way Zimbabweans can pay tribute to the giant that walked amongst us. It is a recognition of the great work Dr Nkomo did in ensuring Zimbabwe progressed after the independence.
It is indeed a recognition of his aspirations for Zimbabwe, that the country be the best in the region and internationally.
That decision meant sacrificing one’s personal needs for the national good. Father Zimbabwe chose to put aside his and family’s needs to fight for the bigger family of Zimbabwe. The honours are thus important to all peace-loving Zimbabweans. A unifier par excellence, in life and after his death, Cde Nkomo is synonymous with the peace and development that Zimbabwe is enjoying today.
It is thus not the glamour and fanfare that characterised the unveiling and commissioning of the refurbished airport that matter, but the honour bestowed on Dr Nkomo that should propel people to continuously value peace and unity.
Zimbabwe is under the eye of the West that wishes it bad, day and night. They wish Zimbabwe could plunge into chaos so that they get an opportunity to push their own agendas. But with the name of Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo etched on two important structures in Zimbabwe’s second largest city, everyone is reminded of the threat that we face and the need to preserve the prevailing unity.
Needless to say events in Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and of late South Sudan among other nations that are at war, Cde Joshua Nkomo’s statue will be a reminder of the need for unity. Indeed, the honouring of Dr Nkomo on Unity Day shows how important the legacy of the late Vice President of Zimbabwe is to this nation and its leadership.
The peace we enjoy today would never have been possible if men like Dr Nkomo and President Mugabe had put personal ambition before the nation. That is indeed the mark of heroes. They chose to promote unity and not chaos. President Mugabe aptly described Dr Nkomo saying: “His clear vision and leadership were invaluable in shaping the new Zimbabwe that was created in 1980.” Zimbabwe’s peace and stability leave many nations in Africa green with envy and we owe this to luminaries such as Dr Nkomo, men of integrity who fought for the total emancipation of all Zimbabweans.
Because of unity, development has followed; schools, hospitals have been built while land has been redistributed to the black majority.
An affable man, Dr Nkomo could easily relate with people from all walks of life and regions of the country. This earned him titles like Father Zimbabwe, Umdala Wethu, Chibwechitedza and Mwana wevhu, an indication that he was indeed a son of Zimbabwe who wished for unity among all Zimbabweans.
His death in 1999, left the country shell-shocked and citizens flocked to his final resting place. The number of people who thronged the National Heroes Acre on his burial was clear testimony that Dr Nkomo was a man of the people, a man who despised greed, self aggrandisement, tribalism, strife and war. As we celebrate the life of this man, let us not forget the strife that characterises Africa today. Dr Nkomo detested this and rose above the family, clan, tribe to be a Zimbabwean who yearned for a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe.
His wish was not in vain as the country has enjoyed peace since the signing of the Unity Accord in December 1987.
It was thus befitting that the nation decided to celebrate Unity Day with him again as the giant now stands tall in the City of Kings.
The commissioning of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport — a state-of-the-art and iconic airport of glass and steel with bold composite steel columns that bind the building as one unit coupled with the cross members in three parts that hold the columns together should always remind travellers of the centrality of unity.
Designed by a local architectural company Studio Arts Inc, owned by Murehwa South Member of Parliament Joel Biggie Matiza — the structure radiates the unity that is befitting of Father Zimbabwe’s wish for a united people.
The spirit that drove the two liberation movements to sign the Unity Accord should live on as we look at the figure of Father Zimbabwe overlooking central Bulawayo.
Zimbabweans need to celebrate and appreciate the country’s life fathers of unity; President Mugabe and the late VP Dr Nkomo, who were signatories to this key agreement that underpins the peace prevailing in Zimbabwe.
Unity has been the bedrock of this nation’s development. This heroic act should always come first in the minds of the people. Just like the two iconic men knew and saw no skin colour or tribe, so should the rest of Zimbabweans if we are to continuously honour Dr Nkomo.
The late Dr Nkomo spoke strongly against tribalism and urged people to work together. He often said, “People of Zimbabwe are one and there is no Shona or Ndebele, but there is one Zimbabwe.”
This is the wisdom that must be cherished by all Zimbabweans today.
Our destiny lies in our capacity to defend our heritage and legacies.
Zimbabweans must do so in honour of the late icon Dr Nkomo, as they admire the great piece of art that makes JMN International Airport and the renamed Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street.
Online Reporter