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Lungelo Ndhlovu
DR Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo’s legacy extends beyond politics. His heroism is not just about the liberation war, it is more than that. Zimbabweans will on August 11 introspect again, during the Heroes Day as people across the nation remember the late gallant icons and men of vision who fought in the liberation struggle to free Zimbabwe from white colonial masters.

Many gallant sons of the soil, the likes of Simon Vengai Muzenda, Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo and Josiah Tongogara among others should not be forgotten and their legacy must be cherished by all.

The passing on of the late Vice-President of Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Nyongolo Nkomo on July 1, 1999, plunged the entire nation into mourning, yet vivid memories of his love for the people and sacrifice for unity and peace still linger.

It is 15 years since the giant fell but his works and contributions in the building of modern Zimbabwe, speak for themselves even though he is gone. His towering legacy still lives on today, in various domains and it is up to today’s generation to treasure his sacrifices in order to bequeath his rich legacy to future generations.

Dr Joshua Nkomo was an ambitious man who had a vision to empower ordinary people and he went on to help set up the Development Trust of Zimbabwe (DTZ), a developmental initiative with subsidiaries in mining, horticulture, and coffee and tea production as well as tomato canning, in a bid to promote self-sufficiency among Zimbabweans.

Of particular interest is how his name is now penetrating the realm of sport, education and tourism.
The Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo National Foundation, which is responsible for nurturing and preserving the legacy of Dr Joshua Nkomo through various projects in this part of the region, seems to be doing well in trying to popularise his legacy.

The foundation runs projects which include Joshua Nkomo Museum, Umdalawethu Music Festival, Joshua Nkomo Chess Challenge, Joshua Nkomo Golf Classic and the Charity Cup.

The Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Jabulani Hadebe, said it has now expanded its mandate to adopt and sponsor rugby as one of its programmes.

The aim is to popularise the sport and give it the prominence it deserves, just like any other sport. It also seeks to engage young people, especially school children, providing them opportunities so that they develop and realise their hidden talents.

The foundation is working with Bulawayo Rugby Board to promote Joshua Nkomo’s legacy in schools through sponsoring a rugby tournament that will see most schools in high density suburbs participating and growing the sport.

“We were approached by the board which asked us to organise a rugby tournament here in Bulawayo in memory of Dr Nkomo. As you know, our father Dr Nkomo always wanted prosperity for all Zimbabweans, be it in politics, economics and sports. Joshua Nkomo Foundation is more than willing to work with the board and will definitely support it.

“We are also promising that next year the tournament is going to grow big and extend to other parts of the country as we will work with various stakeholders to make the tournament better,” said Hadebe.

Matabeleland Rugby Football Board chairman, George Mukorera, who is also a rugby coach, commended the project saying it was going to promote rugby in schools.

“This tournament is going to be a big event not only here in Bulawayo but nationally.
“We are trying to promote sports through uMdalawethu and boys and girls will participate in the tournament.

For the first edition of this tournament we will begin with 16 local schools including Sobukhazi, Njube, Sizane, Amhlophe, St Bernard’s, Sikhulile, Nkulumane and Emakhandeni.

“Many teams from Harare want to come and participate but our focus now is on the launch of this tournament here in Bulawayo and we expect it to grow big next year to include schools in other cities and towns.

“It seems rugby is not as popular at schools here as it is in other cities and towns hence our decision to start this tournament.
“Our aim is to promote rugby which used to be a preserve of schools in the low density suburbs or what used to be referred to as group ‘A’ schools,” said Mukorera.

It is the responsibility of the government of the day to keep Dr Nkomo’s legacy alive by fulfilling some projects which were set to honour him after his death and were left hanging.

To date, the erection of Dr Joshua Nkomo’s Statue, the commissioning of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport and the renaming of Main Street to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street on December 22, 2013 are remarkable efforts by the authorities and government to honour Dr Nkomo.
It is now dawning on many that the government is serious about preserving Dr Nkomo’s revered name in the psyche of every Zimbabwean.

Lizwe Zondo, 68, from Mbizingwe Village in Matabeleland South province commended the government for erecting the Mdalawethu statue in Bulawayo and said he wants to see more projects to honour Dr Nkomo being implemented.

“Projects such as Ekusileni Hospital should be completed so that they start benefiting the people which was Dr Nkomo’s wish” said Zondo.
The government is still battling to operationalise Ekusileni Medical Centre in Bulawayo, whose construction was inspired by Dr Nkomo after he experienced the agony of having to travel outside Zimbabwe to seek medical treatment.

Speaking to journalists at the unveiling of the late Vice-President’s statue and official opening of Joshua Mqabuko International Airport in December, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said they would be reviewing all projects meant to preserve the legacy of Dr Nkomo that have been lying idle.
Recently, President Mugabe appointed a 15-member Board of Trustees for the Development Trust of Zimbabwe headed by Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Khaya Moyo.

In education, Hadebe said the Foundation pays tuition fees up to university level for five best O-level pupils per province every year.
“There are about 50 pupils who benefited from the Dr Nkomo scholarship this year,” he said.

“On Unity Day we will have a soccer festival that will see Premier Soccer League teams battle it out for a trophy,” said Hadebe.
This year’s Mdalawethu memorial was very special because a book depicting the life of Dr Nkomo was launched at Joshua Nkomo Memorial Museum in Bulawayo and the book is titled, Unity and Honour.