News / Local
Zipra cadres hail Nkomo's honour
21 Dec 2013 at 01:02hrs | Views
FORMER Zipra cadres yesterday said the official unveiling of the late Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo's statue in Bulawayo tomorrow demonstrates recognition of his illustrious contribution to the liberation struggle and the importance of the legacy he bequeathed to all Zimbabweans.
President Mugabe will unveil Dr Nkomo's statue and preside over the renaming of Main Street after the late nationalist icon and official opening of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
The three events coincide with the annual December 22 Unity Day celebrations in remembrance of the 1987 Unity Accord signed between PF-Zapu and Zanu led by Dr Nkomo and President Mugabe.
In separate interviews, surviving former Zipra cadres said Dr Nkomo's legacy deserved to be cherished by all and that the unveiling of his statue would immortalise his history.
"These projects were long overdue. The great work done by Dr Nkomo for this country should be cherished by all," said Jane Lungile Ngwenya, one of the few surviving cadres who worked closely with Dr Nkomo.
She added: "Now the Zimbabwean history and Nkomo's legacy will not die. Future generations will know about him and why he was given such an honour.
"Dr Nkomo was a father, a brother, a leader, a freedom fighter, a peacemaker and we are happy for the honour given him. We thank government for such a gesture."
Zapu leader and former Zipra intelligence supremo Dr Dumiso Dabengwa said the completion of projects in honour of Dr Nkomo was a development Zimbabweans had long waited for.
"It (the statue) is a good idea. That is an old project we mooted soon after Mdala's death. We have been to the airport and saw the great work done there. We will be there to witness the event," he said.
Dr Dabengwa, however, decried the fact that he was left out of the activities leading to tomorrow's event.
He said: "We wish to be part of the programme but we only read things in papers and have not been invited. However, we will be there as spectators."
Zanu-PF National Chairman Simon Khaya Moyo has said tomorrow's event demonstrates that the 1987 Unity Accord was irreversible.
The Nkomo family, cultural groups and the civic society have all okayed the projects and are keenly waiting for the big day.
President Mugabe will unveil Dr Nkomo's statue and preside over the renaming of Main Street after the late nationalist icon and official opening of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
The three events coincide with the annual December 22 Unity Day celebrations in remembrance of the 1987 Unity Accord signed between PF-Zapu and Zanu led by Dr Nkomo and President Mugabe.
In separate interviews, surviving former Zipra cadres said Dr Nkomo's legacy deserved to be cherished by all and that the unveiling of his statue would immortalise his history.
"These projects were long overdue. The great work done by Dr Nkomo for this country should be cherished by all," said Jane Lungile Ngwenya, one of the few surviving cadres who worked closely with Dr Nkomo.
She added: "Now the Zimbabwean history and Nkomo's legacy will not die. Future generations will know about him and why he was given such an honour.
Zapu leader and former Zipra intelligence supremo Dr Dumiso Dabengwa said the completion of projects in honour of Dr Nkomo was a development Zimbabweans had long waited for.
"It (the statue) is a good idea. That is an old project we mooted soon after Mdala's death. We have been to the airport and saw the great work done there. We will be there to witness the event," he said.
Dr Dabengwa, however, decried the fact that he was left out of the activities leading to tomorrow's event.
He said: "We wish to be part of the programme but we only read things in papers and have not been invited. However, we will be there as spectators."
Zanu-PF National Chairman Simon Khaya Moyo has said tomorrow's event demonstrates that the 1987 Unity Accord was irreversible.
The Nkomo family, cultural groups and the civic society have all okayed the projects and are keenly waiting for the big day.
Source - chronicle
