Dorcas Rumano
The late Vice President, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo who was also the leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) played a crucial role in the emancipation of the black majority from the bondage of the white minority colonialists.
The legacy and vision of black economic empowerment that was left by Dr Nkomo is still being pursued by the incumbent Government under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Through its Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), the Government is capacitating a number of farmers including cotton, tobacco, fish farming and other farming programmes under the Command Agriculture. It was Dr Nkomo’s vision to have black economic empowerment.
Today, Zimbabweans enjoy freedom of expression, worship and movement that was brought by the late nationalist together with other former freedom fighters.
In December 1987, Father Zimbabwe signed the Unity Accord with ZANU PF end hostilities between the two revolutionary parties. It is through that agreement that unity and peace was brought to Zimbabwe. Unlike today’s opposition politicians who are selfish, the late VP Nkomo was rather a unifier. The MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa who is refusing to join other political party leaders under Political Actors Dialogue, (POLAD) should draw some lessons from the late selfless revolutionary icon.
ZANU PF spokesperson, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo said Dr Nkomo was never power hungry; henceforth he signed the Unity Accord. He described Dr Nkomo as a leader of immense courage who hated tribalism, regionalism and racism.
The legacy of unity and peace that the late founding nationalist left, is still being perpetuated by other top politicians from ZAPU who include Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Cde Khaya Moyo and the late Dr Dumiso Dabengwa.
In recognising Dr Nkomo’s great achievements and contributions to national building, the Government named Bulawayo International Airport and Gwanda Polytechnic after him. Also, in both Bulawayo and Harare there are roads named after the late VP Nkomo. In Harare, the colossal road that goes to the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport was named after Dr Nkomo in recognition of his equally huge contributions to the liberation and development of this nation.
A statue of Father Zimbabwe was also erected in Bulawayo CBD as a way of honouring the good work that he did during his life time.
In addition, the Government accorded a National Hero Status to Dr Nkomo following his contribution pre, during and post liberation struggle which led to the attainment of the country’s independence in 1980.
Also, there is the Joshua Nkomo Scholarship which identifies young and talented Zimbabweans, by creating an opportunity for them to get the best and most relevant education at world class, local and overseas tertiary learning institutions. The programme is funded by Econet Zimbabwe in honour of the role that the late father Zimbabwe played in influencing responsible authorities for it to be awarded a licence to operate a mobile company.
On the other hand, detractors have been trying hard to belittle the efforts that Government and other private players have been doing to honour the late VP Nkomo. Some detractors have been claiming that Government should have declared the 1st of July, the day Dr Nkomo passed away, as a national holiday.
However, all heroes and heroines in Zimbabwe are remembered and honoured on Heroes Day in August every year. With the number of heroes in the country, declaring a national holiday for each and every hero may mean that almost every day is a national holiday in country.
