News / Local
Zanu-PF sets date for Dr Nkomo commemorations
14 Jun 2013 at 06:16hrs | Views
Stunned by Dr Joshua Nkomo's son's moves to declare a Joshua Nkomo holiday, Zanu-PF Bulawayo province will next month host a special week to commemorate the life of the late Vice-President.
Bulawayo provincial chairman Professor Callistus Ndlovu told a Press Conference yesterday the commemorations would be held between 1 and 5 July.
Dr Nkomo died on 1 July in 1999.
"A number of activities have been lined up for the week and they will roll out on Monday the 1st of July up to Friday the 6th of July," said Prof Ndlovu.
"The event will attract a lot of people from all over the country. All provinces of Zanu-PF have been invited to the special event."
Prof Ndlovu said the activities include exhibitions, lectures and entertainment by cultural groups.
"On 1 July, which will be on a Monday there would be an exhibition at the Large City Hall whereby photos of the late Father Zimbabwe and other materials will be displayed depicting the long journey of his life. A cultural day will then be held at Stanley Square on Tuesday 2 July and different cultural groups will showcase their talents.
"On Wednesday 3 July the first lecture will take place at the Large City Hall in the morning and at The Bulawayo Polytechnic in the evening," said Prof Ndlovu.
He said the lectures would continue until Thursday 4 July before the main event on 5 July.
"On 4 July a second lecture will be held at Beit Hall in Luveve in the morning and Mpopoma High School in the afternoon. The third lecture will be at Nkulumane and Pumula Halls in the afternoon. Pupils from surrounding secondary schools will be invited to attend the lectures on the life history of the luminary Dr Nkomo at all avenues.
"The main event will be held on 5 July, where we will have processions by drum majorettes marching in the city centre from different designated points accompanied by the army, police and prison bands, leading to an address by selected speakers at the Large City Hall," said Prof Ndlovu.
He said Central Committee member Godfrey Malaba is chairing the organising committee.
The committee will oversee the fundraising, information and publicity, transport and security committees.
Prof Ndlovu said the party would have unveiled the statue of the late icon, leading to the big rally at White City Stadium but it could not do so due to logistical problems.
"Dr Nkomo is a living legend of the liberation struggle of the country and it is necessary for the party to ask the Government to consider designating his birthday a national holiday.
"He should be remembered for his pioneer leadership in the liberation struggle and Zanu-PF feels that he deserves to be honoured but it is entirely up to the Government to decide," said Prof Ndlovu.
Meanwhile, Radiant Publishing Company will today launch Dr Nkomo's first biography entitled "The Life and Times of An African Legend" at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo.
Bulawayo provincial chairman Professor Callistus Ndlovu told a Press Conference yesterday the commemorations would be held between 1 and 5 July.
Dr Nkomo died on 1 July in 1999.
"A number of activities have been lined up for the week and they will roll out on Monday the 1st of July up to Friday the 6th of July," said Prof Ndlovu.
"The event will attract a lot of people from all over the country. All provinces of Zanu-PF have been invited to the special event."
Prof Ndlovu said the activities include exhibitions, lectures and entertainment by cultural groups.
"On 1 July, which will be on a Monday there would be an exhibition at the Large City Hall whereby photos of the late Father Zimbabwe and other materials will be displayed depicting the long journey of his life. A cultural day will then be held at Stanley Square on Tuesday 2 July and different cultural groups will showcase their talents.
"On Wednesday 3 July the first lecture will take place at the Large City Hall in the morning and at The Bulawayo Polytechnic in the evening," said Prof Ndlovu.
He said the lectures would continue until Thursday 4 July before the main event on 5 July.
"On 4 July a second lecture will be held at Beit Hall in Luveve in the morning and Mpopoma High School in the afternoon. The third lecture will be at Nkulumane and Pumula Halls in the afternoon. Pupils from surrounding secondary schools will be invited to attend the lectures on the life history of the luminary Dr Nkomo at all avenues.
"The main event will be held on 5 July, where we will have processions by drum majorettes marching in the city centre from different designated points accompanied by the army, police and prison bands, leading to an address by selected speakers at the Large City Hall," said Prof Ndlovu.
He said Central Committee member Godfrey Malaba is chairing the organising committee.
The committee will oversee the fundraising, information and publicity, transport and security committees.
Prof Ndlovu said the party would have unveiled the statue of the late icon, leading to the big rally at White City Stadium but it could not do so due to logistical problems.
"Dr Nkomo is a living legend of the liberation struggle of the country and it is necessary for the party to ask the Government to consider designating his birthday a national holiday.
"He should be remembered for his pioneer leadership in the liberation struggle and Zanu-PF feels that he deserves to be honoured but it is entirely up to the Government to decide," said Prof Ndlovu.
Meanwhile, Radiant Publishing Company will today launch Dr Nkomo's first biography entitled "The Life and Times of An African Legend" at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo.
Source - chronicle
