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Farirai Machivenyika in Bulawayo
THE country’s second-largest city Bulawayo was a hive of activity yesterday as President Mugabe unveiled the statue of the late Vice President, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, and renamed Main Street after the late liberation war icon who was also known as Father Zimbabwe.

The two events were preceded by the commissioning of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport as the country marked the annual Unity Day celebrations in a big way.

Dr Nkomo who passed away on July 1, 1999. Speaking at the statue unveiling ceremony, Senior Minister of State Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo said Dr Nkomo was a unifier who led his people to independence.

“He led his people to freedom, he loved all Zimbabweans, he hated regionalism, he hated tribalism, he hated racism, he hated oppression, repression and suppression.

“He left us a free and united country. He left us a democratic Zimbabwe for us to build our future,” he said.
The Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Eunice Sandi-Moyo said residents of the city would not forget the day, adding:

“We take cognisance of the fact that he lived his entire life working for the people of Zimbabwe.” Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi, said the statue told the story of the struggle.

“The onus is on us to monumentalise our history lest it be swept away by the winds of modernity,” he said.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo said Dr Nkomo continued to inspire Zimbabweans to this day.

“Zimbabwe’s history would be incomplete without reference to the magnanimity and dedication of Joshua Nkomo, further more his dedication to the empowerment discourse continue to inspire us today,” he said.

Speaking at the commissioning of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, Mr Sibangilizwe Nkomo —son to the late Vice President — said his father belonged to all Zimbabweans.