News / Regional
Zanu-PF top brass descend on Tsholotsho
09 Mar 2013 at 09:30hrs | Views
A high-powered Zanu-PF delegation yesterday visited the late Vice-President Landa John Nkomo's rural home in Tsholotsho and spent the day with his family and mother, Gogo MaDube.
Gogo MaDube (110) could not attend the burial of her son, VP Nkomo, who succumbed to cancer in January at the age of 79 and was buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
A sombre atmosphere gripped the late icon's homestead at Manqe Village, about seven kilometres west of Tsholotsho Business Centre, as dozens of people from all walks of life gathered to celebrate his life.
Zanu-PF National Chairman Simon Khaya Moyo led the delegation of the party's top brass, which included members of the Politburo and Central Committee as well as the party's provincial chairpersons.
Politburo members included Kembo Mohadi, Professor Jonathan Moyo, Richard Ndlovu, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Abigail Damasane and Abednigo Ncube.
The provincial chairpersons were s Killian Sibanda (Bulawayo), Andrew Langa (Matabeleland South), Richard Moyo (Matabeleland North), Dickson Mafios (Mashonaland Central) and Jason Machaya of Midlands. Machaya is also the Governor of Midlands.
Governors Cain Mathema (Bulawayo), Angeline Masuku (Matabeleland South), Thokozile Mathuthu (Matabeleland North) were also present.
Not to be left out were Ministers of State in the late VP Nkomo's Office, Flora Buka and her counterpart in VP Joice Mujuru's Office Sylvester Nguni, Bubi-Umguza Senator Lot Mbambo and Ambassador Khotsho Dube.
In a speech read on her behalf by Khaya Moyo, Acting President Mujuru said the late VP Nkomo lived a life of service to the people and urged all Zimbabweans to emulate him.
She said VP Nkomo's death was a great loss, not to the Nkomo family and Tsholotsho people alone, but the entire nation and the region as a whole.
" Nkomo's life was larger than his family. It transcended family, village, district, provincial and party boundaries. He shared his life with so many people," said Acting President Mujuru.
"Gogo MaDube and the entire Nkomo family should take solace from the knowledge that their son's existence impacted so many lives not only through the country's struggle for independence but through various roles and responsibilities he carried right through his death."
Acting President Mujuru challenged the country's political leadership to shun selfishness and dedicate their lives to improving ordinary people's lives, an area she said VP Nkomo excelled in.
"We grieve for the loss of Nkomo's life but we bring to remembrance all his charitable and valiant acts through which he played an important role in shaping the course of the history of our nation.
"There is no doubt that this man lived a fruitful life. We all must pluck a leaf from his life and strive to live more meaningful and purposeful lives," said the Acting President.
She urged Zimbabweans not to deviate from the revolutionary path and implored them to uphold unity and peace, especially as the country gears for the constitution referendum and harmonised elections.
Khaya Moyo said he was overwhelmed by the presence of the country's political leadership from across the provinces and urged Zimbabweans to remain united.
"It is so pleasing to see the whole country gathered here by way of leadership representation. This shows that nothing surpasses unity and love for one another as a nation.
"This is a sign that VP Nkomo was indeed a man of the people who left a legacy for all of us. Such honour is worked for. It cannot be accorded to corrupt leaders and leaders who have no respect for the people," said Khaya Moyo.
He then presented a token of groceries, which included food, toiletries, clothes, blankets and $500 given to Gogo MaDube from Acting President Mujuru.
Khaya Moyo also presented consolation messages from the Embassies of Nigeria and Palestine and handed over $1 000 from the Chiredzi Sugar Cane Development Association led by Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai.
He also presented a consignment of 900x10kg of mealie-meal that VP Nkomo had planned to donate to the San community before his death.
VP Nkomo's son, Jabulani, could not hold his tears as he narrated how his father cared for the family and how the family was affected by his political career.
He expressed gratitude to Zanu-PF for the honour it bestowed on his father and said the family will always cherish the gesture.
"This shows how much our father was loved by his colleagues in Government and the party. It shows that he is making history even if he is no more," said a sobbing Mr Nkomo.
"Our father's death should not be a point of departure but we all need to ensure that his projects succeed as an honour to him."
The Nkomo family gave Acting President Mujuru a goat in appreciation of her courtesy while another goat was given to Khaya Moyo by the local chiefs.
Speaking at the same occasion, Chief Magama of Tsholotsho said the district was proud of the honour bestowed on VP Nkomo whom he described as their son, a brother and a friend. The event was punctuated by music, dance, presentations by pupils and villagers, who praised the late VP Nkomo for fostering development in their community by building Landa J High School.
The entire country was plunged into mourning when VP Nkomo, who has been described as one of the finest leaders and a distinguished nationalist, died.
Gogo MaDube (110) could not attend the burial of her son, VP Nkomo, who succumbed to cancer in January at the age of 79 and was buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
A sombre atmosphere gripped the late icon's homestead at Manqe Village, about seven kilometres west of Tsholotsho Business Centre, as dozens of people from all walks of life gathered to celebrate his life.
Zanu-PF National Chairman Simon Khaya Moyo led the delegation of the party's top brass, which included members of the Politburo and Central Committee as well as the party's provincial chairpersons.
Politburo members included Kembo Mohadi, Professor Jonathan Moyo, Richard Ndlovu, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Abigail Damasane and Abednigo Ncube.
The provincial chairpersons were s Killian Sibanda (Bulawayo), Andrew Langa (Matabeleland South), Richard Moyo (Matabeleland North), Dickson Mafios (Mashonaland Central) and Jason Machaya of Midlands. Machaya is also the Governor of Midlands.
Governors Cain Mathema (Bulawayo), Angeline Masuku (Matabeleland South), Thokozile Mathuthu (Matabeleland North) were also present.
Not to be left out were Ministers of State in the late VP Nkomo's Office, Flora Buka and her counterpart in VP Joice Mujuru's Office Sylvester Nguni, Bubi-Umguza Senator Lot Mbambo and Ambassador Khotsho Dube.
In a speech read on her behalf by Khaya Moyo, Acting President Mujuru said the late VP Nkomo lived a life of service to the people and urged all Zimbabweans to emulate him.
She said VP Nkomo's death was a great loss, not to the Nkomo family and Tsholotsho people alone, but the entire nation and the region as a whole.
" Nkomo's life was larger than his family. It transcended family, village, district, provincial and party boundaries. He shared his life with so many people," said Acting President Mujuru.
"Gogo MaDube and the entire Nkomo family should take solace from the knowledge that their son's existence impacted so many lives not only through the country's struggle for independence but through various roles and responsibilities he carried right through his death."
Acting President Mujuru challenged the country's political leadership to shun selfishness and dedicate their lives to improving ordinary people's lives, an area she said VP Nkomo excelled in.
"We grieve for the loss of Nkomo's life but we bring to remembrance all his charitable and valiant acts through which he played an important role in shaping the course of the history of our nation.
She urged Zimbabweans not to deviate from the revolutionary path and implored them to uphold unity and peace, especially as the country gears for the constitution referendum and harmonised elections.
Khaya Moyo said he was overwhelmed by the presence of the country's political leadership from across the provinces and urged Zimbabweans to remain united.
"It is so pleasing to see the whole country gathered here by way of leadership representation. This shows that nothing surpasses unity and love for one another as a nation.
"This is a sign that VP Nkomo was indeed a man of the people who left a legacy for all of us. Such honour is worked for. It cannot be accorded to corrupt leaders and leaders who have no respect for the people," said Khaya Moyo.
He then presented a token of groceries, which included food, toiletries, clothes, blankets and $500 given to Gogo MaDube from Acting President Mujuru.
Khaya Moyo also presented consolation messages from the Embassies of Nigeria and Palestine and handed over $1 000 from the Chiredzi Sugar Cane Development Association led by Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai.
He also presented a consignment of 900x10kg of mealie-meal that VP Nkomo had planned to donate to the San community before his death.
VP Nkomo's son, Jabulani, could not hold his tears as he narrated how his father cared for the family and how the family was affected by his political career.
He expressed gratitude to Zanu-PF for the honour it bestowed on his father and said the family will always cherish the gesture.
"This shows how much our father was loved by his colleagues in Government and the party. It shows that he is making history even if he is no more," said a sobbing Mr Nkomo.
"Our father's death should not be a point of departure but we all need to ensure that his projects succeed as an honour to him."
The Nkomo family gave Acting President Mujuru a goat in appreciation of her courtesy while another goat was given to Khaya Moyo by the local chiefs.
Speaking at the same occasion, Chief Magama of Tsholotsho said the district was proud of the honour bestowed on VP Nkomo whom he described as their son, a brother and a friend. The event was punctuated by music, dance, presentations by pupils and villagers, who praised the late VP Nkomo for fostering development in their community by building Landa J High School.
The entire country was plunged into mourning when VP Nkomo, who has been described as one of the finest leaders and a distinguished nationalist, died.
Source - chronicle
