By Rex Mphisa
THE Zimbabwean government says it will develop the late Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo’s rural village in Kezi as part of its 2026 independence celebrations.
Nkomo, the late towering figure in Zimbabwe’s politics, hailed from Nyongolo village in Matobo, near Kezi.
Development in the area was confined to his homestead where different government agencies led by Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, (RIDA) formerly District Development Fund (DDF), built a house at his site locals left untouched.
In what has become a regular update of his activities in the vast Matabeleland South Province resident minister Albert Nguluvhe said Nkomo’s village will be developed during preparations of the 2026 Independence celebrations earmarked for Matobo.
“We are going to develop the JMN Nkomo Village in honour of the late Vice President, Dr. Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo,” said Nguluvhe, the late Father Zimbabwe’s aide for a long time since before independence.
Nkomo was born in 1917 in that rural area from where he rose to national and pan African politics.
Government has in the past said his home location is a significant part of his identity as a prominent Ndebele leader, though he also had a home in Bulawayo.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa visited St Joseph’s Mission in Kezi during its centenary celebrations and promised villagers he would ensure Nkomo’s home village development to uplift the community in respect of the late leader.
Nkomo died on July 1, 1999 at 82 and is known for his part in Zimbabwe’s revolution as leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) in1961.
He led his party to merge with ZANU PF in 1987.