Dr Joshua Nkomo biography launched

A BULAWAYO pastor Fortune Senamile Nkomo has written a biography on late Vice President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo.

The 244 paged biography entitled The life and Times of an African Legend was launched on Friday  at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo and would be launched in Harare on 28 June.

Dr Nkomo died on 1 July 1999.

In an interview, Pastor Nkomo said he decided to write the biography after realising that many people did not know much about Dr Nkomo affectionately known as Father Zimbabwe or Umdala Wethu.

"In 1999, when Vice-President Nkomo died, President Mugabe urged people to write books about Father Zimbabwe. I found it important to write the biography about the legend and this is the first biography on him after the auto biography that he wrote.

"The book catches the aspects of the history of the country especially Tshaka's time up to the 21st century.  It mentions people like President Mugabe, Lobengula, Sir Godfrey Huggins and Ian Smith among others. All these people somehow shaped Umdala's role during and after the liberation struggle.
 
"The biography will go a long way in highlighting the significance of Dr Nkomo's life in the country, especially to the young people who were born when the liberation struggle was coming to an end or when it was over. It also gives a better understanding of Dr Nkomo's values and the true meaning of 'Mwana Wevhu' and the skins that they used to wear back then," said Pastor Nkomo.

He described Dr Nkomo as a man who was always prepared to talk and listen all the time.

"His single minded commitment as a nationalist appropriately accorded him the appellation 'Father Zimbabwe'. He suffered arrests, detention, criticism, and opposition but remained resolute and relentless in purpose. This biography is also a story of many men of history, a tale of gold, cattle and land. It is a tale of courage and sacrifice of vision and hope," said Pastor Nkomo.

Pastor Nkomo is the second son of Dr Nkomo's younger brother Mr Edward Ginqusaba Nyongolo Nkomo and the late Mrs Fransisca Nkomo.

Pastor Nkomo is a co-pastor of the Bible Inn Word Ministries with his wife Linda.

After taking up employment at the National University of Science and Technology in 1991, he worked in the bursar's department before joining the Faculty of Commerce as a lecturer for 10 years.

In January 2010 he was appointed the university bursar.