News / Local
'Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo statue to be mounted in two weeks'
19 Oct 2013 at 03:57hrs | Views
STAKEHOLDERS yesterday met at the Bulawayo City Council offices to review progress in erecting the statue of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo.
In an interview with the state media yesterday, the director of National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), Dr Godfrey Mahachi said they were happy with the progress at the site.
"We met as key stakeholders including the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation and the contractors to review progress on implementing the project.
"I am glad to report to the nation that there is progress and the project is shaping up and it is quality workmanship.
"Something good is coming up and we are happy with every facet of the work that is taking place and hopefully the statue would be mounted in about two weeks' time since the podium is almost complete. We would like to apologise to the nation for slightly delaying and this is largely because we did not want to do a shoddy job. The podium on which the statue would be mounted must demonstrate the seriousness with which we take the whole effort of remembering the late Dr Nkomo," said Dr Mahachi.
He said once the statue has been erected, the Government would then make consultations on the date of the unveiling ceremony.
"We expect the construction of the podium to be completed within the next few days after which the statue would then be mounted before the Government officially unveils it," said Dr Mahachi.
The statue would be erected at the intersection of 8th Avenue and Main Street in Bulawayo.
The statue is being kept at the Bulawayo History Museum.
Dr Mahachi said NMMZ was working with the Bulawayo City Council, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and Joshua Nkomo National Foundation on the project.
The erection of Dr Nkomo's statue is in memory of the late nationalist's works and contributions before and after independence.
Dr Nkomo's daughter, Mrs Thandiwe Nkomo-Ibrahim also expressed satisfaction with the work on the ground.
"We have been part of the stakeholders meeting and we are very happy with the designs and the specifications of the statue. We will have a final meeting to discuss the unveiling of the statue in honour of Father Zimbabwe," she said.
The chief executive officer of the Joshua Mqabuko National Foundation, Mr Jabulani Hadebe, said the move by the Government to erect Dr Nkomo's statue was an exciting development.
Dr Nkomo died on 1 July 1999 .
In an interview with the state media yesterday, the director of National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), Dr Godfrey Mahachi said they were happy with the progress at the site.
"We met as key stakeholders including the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation and the contractors to review progress on implementing the project.
"I am glad to report to the nation that there is progress and the project is shaping up and it is quality workmanship.
"Something good is coming up and we are happy with every facet of the work that is taking place and hopefully the statue would be mounted in about two weeks' time since the podium is almost complete. We would like to apologise to the nation for slightly delaying and this is largely because we did not want to do a shoddy job. The podium on which the statue would be mounted must demonstrate the seriousness with which we take the whole effort of remembering the late Dr Nkomo," said Dr Mahachi.
He said once the statue has been erected, the Government would then make consultations on the date of the unveiling ceremony.
"We expect the construction of the podium to be completed within the next few days after which the statue would then be mounted before the Government officially unveils it," said Dr Mahachi.
The statue is being kept at the Bulawayo History Museum.
Dr Mahachi said NMMZ was working with the Bulawayo City Council, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and Joshua Nkomo National Foundation on the project.
The erection of Dr Nkomo's statue is in memory of the late nationalist's works and contributions before and after independence.
Dr Nkomo's daughter, Mrs Thandiwe Nkomo-Ibrahim also expressed satisfaction with the work on the ground.
"We have been part of the stakeholders meeting and we are very happy with the designs and the specifications of the statue. We will have a final meeting to discuss the unveiling of the statue in honour of Father Zimbabwe," she said.
The chief executive officer of the Joshua Mqabuko National Foundation, Mr Jabulani Hadebe, said the move by the Government to erect Dr Nkomo's statue was an exciting development.
Dr Nkomo died on 1 July 1999 .
Source - Chronicle
