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President Robert Mugabe announced the death of Father Zimbabwe

Below, we publish in full a statement delivered by President Mugabe at 9am on 1 July 1999, announcing the demise of the giant in a live radio and television broadcast:

“I regret to announce to you the passing away early this morning of our beloved compatriot and Vice-President of Zimbabwe, Cde Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, at Parirenyatwa Hospital.

For quite some time, the Vice-President had been unwell and had been in and out of hospital.  Government made arrangements for him to receive medical attention both in and out of the country, and for quite some time, he was able to be assisted and his condition appeared to improve.

However, early this year, his condition progressively deteriorated, and in fact took a turn for the worse at the beginning of this past month when he had to be admitted and placed under permanent medical attention, first in Bulawayo and later in Harare.

Today, at about 0130 hours, Cde Nkomo could not hold any longer and finally he succumbed.

I pay particular and special tribute to the Nkomo family, especially to Amai Nkomo, on this very sad loss indeed.

Throughout this difficult period, Mrs Nkomo supported by the whole family, was always by the President’s bedside, giving him all the attention she could muster, and at the same time, ensuring that the Nation was kept informed at all times about the Vice-President’s condition.

I had occasions to visit the Vice-President at Parirenyatwa Hospital and all I can tell you in recollection is that the past few weeks were very difficult, in fact agonising to the Nkomo family.

The Vice-President was in great pain; he could not feed, and lately, he could not talk. It became painfully clear that time was running out. We were all greatly worried and just last Saturday, I invited the late departed’s brother, our Governor and Resident Minister for Matabeleland South, Cde Stephen Nkomo, to brief the Zanu-PF National Consultative Assembly on the Vice-President’s condition.

He gave us a sad message and we all hoped and prayed that God grant him a little longer life.

Sadly, this was not to be. This last Sunday, my wife and I paid another visit to the

Vice-President in hospital. Again, we found his condition worrisome.

On behalf of the whole nation and on my own behalf, I wish to express my deepest sorrow and condolences to Mai Nkomo and the whole family. I want to say to the Nkomo family that the loss is not theirs alone.  It is a loss so keenly felt by all of us, by all Zimbabweans who saw in the Vice-President a father figure, a founder of our Nation.

Indeed, it is a loss felt by many who live beyond our borders who had the privilege to interact with this fine and great man indeed whose life was spent in struggle.

The giant has fallen and the Nation mourns in grief.
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, you were a colleague, a comrade and a compatriot.
Go well our great hero, Hamba kahle qhawe lamaqhawe!
Famba zvakanaka gamba remagamba!
May God rest him in eternal peace.”