Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo statue gives Bulawayo pride

BULAWAYO and Matabeleland region at large take pride in the mounting of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo's statue in the city, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo said yesterday.

President Mugabe will officially unveil the statue of the late founding nationalist this weekend.

Moyo said people from the region, Bulawayo in particular, were excited by the project, which they have patiently waited for for a long time.

The unveiling of VP Nkomo's statue will coincide with the renaming of Main Street to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and the official opening of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport on December 22, a day dedicated to mark the historic 1987 Unity Accord signed by the late Dr Nkomo and President Mugabe.

"Bulawayo is excited about this development. This coming Sunday is a day for us to cherish and celebrate this great man. We are happy this day was chosen to coincide with Unity Day," said Moyo.

"It is proper that we celebrate him in Bulawayo for our people to see the strength of unity. It is a day that gives us hope to look forward and work together."

Moyo said on Sunday the whole country would be in Bulawayo to honour the great work of the late national hero.

"Preparations are on course for the day and everything is being finalised. The President will be  here. We will meet the Nkomo family and thank them for bearing a son who has made us great in Matabeleland, one who did a lot for Zimbabwe," Moyo said.

She said Dr Nkomo was a towering figure among nationalists who brought independence, peace and prosperity to Zimbabwe. She said Sunday's programme would start at the airport and end at the city centre where the President will unveil the statue and officially rename Main Street after Umdala Wethu.

Moyo said it has always been President Mugabe's wish to honour the late VP Nkomo and urged Zimbabweans to emulate their leaders by cherishing unity and working in unison to protect the gains of the liberation struggle.

"As a Zapu cadre and someone who worked as Nkomo's administrator I personally feel honoured to be in this city and have an opportunity to superintend over such a great work," she said.

Moyo paid tribute to President Mugabe, relevant government ministries that undertook the task of mounting the statue and the residents for their patience.

"People have waited to see this being finalised after the statue was initially pulled down. It shows their confidence in their government. This is such a beautiful arrangement for Bulawayo to celebrate Nkomo's works," she said.

Yesterday a delegation of senior government officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, the civic society and the Nkomo family also visited the statue site. Chief architect of the project Enock Mpofu explained to them how the pedestal was constructed using relevant building material that creatively blends with the surrounding.

Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi was in Bulawayo on Monday to inspect the statue and expressed satisfaction with work done.

Dr Nkomo's statue was first erected in 2010 but pulled down before its official unveiling after Bulawayo residents and the Nkomo family complained that the dimensions of the initial pedestal did not fully capture the attributes of the late Father Zimbabwe.

Dr Nkomo died on July 1, 1999, and was accorded National Hero status.  The erection of his statue is in memory of  his illustrious works and contributions to the liberation of the country and its development after independence.