News / Local
'Umdala Wethu led everyone in challenging the white settler regime' says Mugabe
22 Dec 2013 at 12:11hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe says the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport will be a constant reminder of the good work the late Father Zimbabwe did, not only in liberating Zimbabwe, but also in the social and economic development of the country.
Speaking in Bulawayo where he officially commissioned the airport, Mugabe said the late Vice President Nkomo was one of the pioneers of the liberation struggle who restored confidence and belief in fellow Zimbabweans that white settlers can be overcome.
"Umdala Wethu led everyone, both the educated and the uneducated in challenging the white settler regime. During those days, our people had lost belief in themselves hence saw the whites as the answer to their problems," said Mugabe.
The President said during the early days of nationalism, there was also belief that politics was for the uneducated.
He said it was hard for an educated person to leave his/her job for the struggle but Dr Nkomo, who had attained a degree at the University of South Africa (UNISA), sacrificed his job, family and life to lead the liberation struggle, first with the ANC before the formation of ZAPU.
Cde Mugabe therefore said for this sacrifice by Dr Nkomo, he is honoured to commission the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport, unveil a statue of Dr Nkomo in Bulawayo and rename Main Street in Bulawayo to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street.
"This is a day that evokes a sense of belonging to the works of those who came before us. We will have these concrete reminders, reminders of what great ones have done, in honour of what this great man, Dr Nkomo has done, not only in liberating this country but also in the social and economic development of this country," said Cde Mugabe.
On the statue, Cde Mugabe said it would have been awesome if there was a mechanism to put Dr Nkomo's voice in that statue so that it will continue to speak.
President Mugabe applauded the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development for hard work in completing the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport, a feat he described as a 'quick win of the ZIM ASSET' economic blue print.
He then urged the ministry to continue working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) in upgrading airports in Kariba and Buffalo Range for the benefit of the tourism sector.
Speaking in Bulawayo where he officially commissioned the airport, Mugabe said the late Vice President Nkomo was one of the pioneers of the liberation struggle who restored confidence and belief in fellow Zimbabweans that white settlers can be overcome.
"Umdala Wethu led everyone, both the educated and the uneducated in challenging the white settler regime. During those days, our people had lost belief in themselves hence saw the whites as the answer to their problems," said Mugabe.
The President said during the early days of nationalism, there was also belief that politics was for the uneducated.
He said it was hard for an educated person to leave his/her job for the struggle but Dr Nkomo, who had attained a degree at the University of South Africa (UNISA), sacrificed his job, family and life to lead the liberation struggle, first with the ANC before the formation of ZAPU.
Cde Mugabe therefore said for this sacrifice by Dr Nkomo, he is honoured to commission the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport, unveil a statue of Dr Nkomo in Bulawayo and rename Main Street in Bulawayo to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street.
"This is a day that evokes a sense of belonging to the works of those who came before us. We will have these concrete reminders, reminders of what great ones have done, in honour of what this great man, Dr Nkomo has done, not only in liberating this country but also in the social and economic development of this country," said Cde Mugabe.
On the statue, Cde Mugabe said it would have been awesome if there was a mechanism to put Dr Nkomo's voice in that statue so that it will continue to speak.
President Mugabe applauded the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development for hard work in completing the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport, a feat he described as a 'quick win of the ZIM ASSET' economic blue print.
He then urged the ministry to continue working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) in upgrading airports in Kariba and Buffalo Range for the benefit of the tourism sector.
Source - zbc
