By Evans Dakwa, News Editor
Harare–As the country commemorates 26 years of the demise of liberation stalwart and former Vice President of Zimbabwe Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sounded father Zimbabwe for laying the foundation for the country’s liberation from colonial rule calling him a symbol of resistance and unity inspiring generations.
The late icon also monikered Father Zimbabwe was a pioneer of early resistance and nationalists who birthed resistance to the brutal white minority regime. On this day when he died, President Mnangagwa has described the late as a person who defied odds and led from the front resisting oppression.
” ‘Chibwe Chitedza’ as Dr Nkomo came to be popularly known, endured imprisonment in notorious camps such as Gonakudzingwa, but the colonial efforts failed to break his spirit. Today, twenty-six years later, Zimbabwe can look back with pride to the life of a liberator, an astute politician, and a champion of Pan-Africanism,” said the President in a statement to mark the commemoration of the death of the revered Nkomo.
Together with early nationalists like Benjamin Burombo, Masotsha Ndlovu, George Nyandoro, Michael Mawema, Morton Malianga and Robert Mugabe, Dr Nkomo driven by the desire to liberate the nation from the shackles of colonial oppression led the nationalist in the formative years and later the protracted armed struggle.
Twenty six years after his death, President Mnangagwa reiterated that Father Zimbabwe continues to inspire the nation in its development trajectory.
“Inspired by Dr Nkomo and his generation of heroic and selfless nationalists, our nation continues to defy all odds and scale new heights in the socio-economic upliftment of all Zimbabweans, irrespective of race, ethnicity, colour or creed. Umdala Wethu and his generation of impeccable revolutionaries always preached peace as the bedrock of nation building.”
So passionate about land being returned to the rightful owners, the President also said even though Dr Nkomo did not live to see the land reform, the success of the program and the unity of purpose reflect his inspiration.
” A true son of the soil, Dr Nkomo was passionate about the land as the major reason for which the Armed Struggle had been waged. In a cruel twist of fate, Dr Nkomo did not live to witness the Land Reform Programme which commenced a year after his demise. However, his clarion call for unity of purpose
continued to inspire an entire nation to reclaim its heritage. The successful reclamation has inspired young farmers to break production records in agriculture subsectors such as dairy, tobacco, and horticulture. These and other success stories resonate well with the mantra, Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/ Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo, as the attainment of Vision 2030 draws closer.”
Dr Nkomo was so loved across the country and he remains the symbol of national unity, the name Father Zimbabwe reflected his influence across the country. And today, the nation remembers a man whose memory is key in uniting and propelling the country forward as a united force.