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Bulawayo Bureau
THE John Landa Nkomo Memorial Trust has set up a museum documenting the life of the late Vice President as it seeks to immortalise his life works. The museum, which is situated along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and 12th Avenue in Bulawayo, has portraits of President Mugabe, the country’s previous VPs: Cdes Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, Simon Muzenda, Joseph Msika and Dr Joice Mujuru among other politicians.

JLNMT’s chairman and son to the late VP, Mr Jabulani Nkomo yesterday said the museum is part of several projects being implemented by the Trust to ensure that their father’s name lives on.

He said the museum would be opened when everything was in place. Mr Nkomo was speaking as he reflected on the life of the late VP who could have turned 82 yesterday.

VP Landa Nkomo died in January 2013 following a long battle with cancer.

“As we commemorate his birthday today, we want to reflect on his life works and we’re in the process of setting up a museum documenting his life. The museum will have artefacts including photographs and a biography about his family, liberation struggle and time in Government,” said Mr Nkomo.

“We want to ensure that his name does not die. We believe he was a great politician with a lovable character and was pro-development.”

The museum also has portraits of the late VP sharing lighter moments with the late South African President Nelson Mandela.

Mr Nkomo said the Trust was struggling to complete projects that the late VP had started. He said it needs about $2,5 million to complete projects which include the Landa John Nkomo High School and a clinic in Tsholotsho. Mr Nkomo appealed to well-wishers to assist, saying the late VP’s legacy needs to be maintained.

“We’re desperate for support so that the projects can go further. We’re lagging (behind) badly. We don’t have enough funds to support the outstanding projects. At the school, we’re yet to complete the dormitories, teachers’ houses and home economics block, which are critical for the school,” he said.

Mr Nkomo said the Trust has also set up a foundation for the late VP’s mother Ugogo Macitshi Dube Nkomo known as Gogo MaDube’s Women’s Club, to empower women in Tsholotsho so that they can start developmental projects.