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Hon Simon Khaya Moyo
I first got to know of Dr Joshua Nkomo in the 1950s when I was still in school. He was a household name because of his involvement in politics as one of the founders of the African National Congress, National Democratic Party and Zapu. I was fond of him because of what he stood for and his courage in fighting
for black people and against colonial rule.
It was thus only natural that I gravitated towards nationalist politics given my pursuit of the ol’ man’s philosophy. I completed studies in Zambia and then went to Makerere University in Uganda where I was Zapu’s representative.
The party leadership later recalled me from Kampala, Uganda, appointing me special assistant to Dr Nkomo who was based in Zambia then.
Dr Nkomo came across as a man of great humility. And so he was, and that was what many others who worked with him cherished.
A principled and focused leader, he exuded courage. He was a charismatic visionary and unifier; a doyen of wisdom who was fiercely committed to Zimbabwe’s liberation.
To be his special assistant was a great honour.
I learnt a new definition of the word “diligence” during my time with him as he worked really hard. He would spend sleepless nights doing work related to the liberation struggle.
Dr Nkomo held deep convictions and a sixth sense that made him outstanding, extraordinary.
One night in Lusaka, Zambia in 1978, he instructed us to leave the apartment we lived in immediately.
“I have a feeling something wrong is about to happen,” he told us sternly.
We complied, and around an hour later, that house was bombed! We could hear the bombs explode from our new location.
It was clear: The Rhodesians wanted to kill Dr Nkomo, but, alas, he managed to cheat death.
This revolutionary icon would eat, sleep, talk and execute the liberation struggle. His passion in that sphere was evident, even in his speech.
He made numerous sacrifices, too, as his life was one of heroics.
Another trait that struck me the most was his hatred for tribalism, regionalism and racism.
He appeared (and he was) deeply anguished whenever he queried how people could be separated by petty issues like tribalism and regionalism.
He always emphasised that Zimbabweans are one people who should live in harmony. He loved Zimbabwe with all his heart.
He was an upright man to whom corruption and other deviances were alien. Everyone who knew him closely can testify to this.
All he advocated was development, peace and unity. He had nothing in common with divisive people, and did not tolerate malcontents like gossips and liars.
Dr Nkomo also worked remarkably well with President Mugabe.
The Patriotic Front was formed because of his and President Mugabe’s efforts to ensure Zanu and Zapu spoke with one voice on unity.
And that unity was the foundation on which Zanu and Zapu stood and jointly negotiated with the British in Malta and, subsequently, at the Lancaster House Conference leading to Independence.
His philosophy was politics should control the gun and not the other way around.
Although the war was vicious and ugly, he always believed peace would eventually come. This is why he never gave up in the face of many threats to peace.
Many lives were lost and a lot of bad things happened in the war, but through the leadership of President Mugabe and Dr Joshua Nkomo, we remained steadfast.
It was because of the principled leadership of these two men that we eventually achieved our hard won Independence.
After Independence, we faced challenges that threatened our peace. It was then that the two parties led by President Mugabe and Dr Nkomo negotiated the Unity Accord.
It was a great piece of wisdom from the two leaders to foster unity among Zimbabweans, underlining to them that we are one people despite our different tribes.
Zanu and Zapu negotiated the formation of one united party.
And it was the formation of that united party that formed the basis of our unity as a people.
Dr Nkomo was so committed to this cause that he put all his energies in making the Unity Accord a success.
His swan song was that the people should never abandon this agreement.
The Unity Accord was so important to him that he always reminded me to see its importance.
He was also passionate about land.
He emphasised that the main reason for waging the armed struggle was to get back the land.
I am glad President Mugabe has fulfilled Dr Nkomo’s wish for land to be redistributed to the majority black people.
Honourable Simon Khaya Moyo is the Minister of State for Policy Coordination and Promotion of Socio Economic Ventures and Zanu-PF National Spokesperson. This article was taken from his conversation with The Sunday Mail Chief Reporter Kuda Bwititi in Harare on June 16, 2016
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