Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, [email protected]
AS Zimbabwe continues to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the passing of Father Zimbabwe, Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, a youth leadership lecture has been lined up in Bulawayo to inspire a new generation of leaders to embrace the values of unity, integrity and servant leadership that defined the liberation icon’s life.
The lecture comes as the Nkomo family renews its appeal for July 1 to be declared a national public holiday in honour of Father Zimbabwe, saying his immense contribution to Zimbabwe’s liberation and nation-building transcended political affiliation and deserves national recognition.
Youth in Politics Zimbabwe (YIPGZ), in partnership with the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation (JNNF), will host the high-level Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Leadership Lecture, bringing together young leaders, policymakers, academics and civic organisations to reflect on Dr Nkomo’s enduring philosophy of nation-building.
The lecture, scheduled for Saturday at the Joshua Nkomo Museum in Bulawayo, is being organised by Youth in Politics Zimbabwe (YIPGZ) Bulawayo Province under the provincial secretary-general, Mr Lwandle Nkala, and overseen by the organisation’s national vice-chairperson, Dr Ganizani Phiri.
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Cde Tino Machakaire, and Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, are expected to headline the event as guest speakers.
Organisers said the lecture seeks to bridge the gap between Zimbabwe’s liberation history and the country’s future leadership by equipping young people with values that shaped the nation’s founding fathers.
Speaking ahead of the event, Nkala said the lecture was inspired by Dr Nkomo’s unwavering belief in the potential of young people to safeguard Zimbabwe’s future.
“Dr Nkomo said, ‘The country shall not die, its youth will save it.’ This lecture is our answer to that call,” he said.
“We are creating a space where Bulawayo’s youth can engage directly with his vision of unity and resilience, and commit to living it out.”
Mr Nkala said the initiative was not intended to be merely a reflection on history but a platform for nurturing ethical leadership capable of responding to contemporary national challenges.
“This is not a history lecture, but a call to action. We want young people to translate Father Zimbabwe’s values into practical leadership that will shape Zimbabwe in 2026 and beyond.”
Dr Phiri said Zimbabwe’s future depended on young leaders who were grounded in the principles of patriotism, integrity and service to the nation.
“Zimbabwe’s future rests on the shoulders of its youth. Without character and grounding in our founding values, we risk raising a generation that is skilled but weak,” he said.
“This lecture is about giving young leaders practical tools to serve with integrity and to appreciate the values that sustained the liberation struggle.”
He said the dialogue would also promote responsible youth participation in governance, encourage civic engagement and create opportunities for interaction between emerging leaders and policymakers.
The lecture forms part of a month-long programme of activities organised by the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation to commemorate the life and legacy of Father Zimbabwe.
Speaking in an earlier interview, Dr Nkomo’s eldest daughter, Mrs Thandiwe Nkomo-Ibrahim, said the commemorations were deliberately designed to reconnect young Zimbabweans with the principles that guided one of the country’s foremost liberation leaders.
“Among the flagship events is the Joshua Nkomo Memorial Lecture on July 4, which will focus on youth leadership and politics,” she said.
“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 recently renewed the family’s appeal for July 1 to be declared a national public holiday, saying Father Zimbabwe’s contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe deserved enduring national recognition.
She said a public holiday would provide Zimbabweans with an opportunity to gather annually to celebrate Dr Nkomo’s life through lectures, cultural performances, poetry and other educational activities that preserve the country’s liberation heritage for future generations.
For the organisers, the upcoming leadership lecture is an investment in the next generation of leaders, ensuring that Father Zimbabwe’s enduring message of unity, peace, humility and selfless service continues to inspire those who will shape Zimbabwe’s future.
