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Dr Nkomo

Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
PEOPLE in Matabeleland must honour the late Vice- President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo by voting for Zanu-PF candidates  in the coming harmonised elections, Central Committee member Cde Godfrey Malaba said yesterday. In an interview, Cde Malaba, who is an aspiring candidate for Pumula constituency and coordinator of commemorations on the life of the late Father Zimbabwe, said during Dr Nkomo’s time Zanu-PF did not lose an election in the region and challenged contesting party candidates from the region to retain all the seats.
“Since the departure of Umdala Wethu in 1999 Zanu-PF has been losing elections in Matabeleland.

“Dr Nkomo was a robust Zanu-PF leader who led this party successfully and this time around we are saying voters from the region must honour the late veteran nationalists by voting for Zanu-PF candidates so that the party can regain all the lost  seats.  We are saying as Zanu-PF candidates we are not going to allow constituencies from the region where Dr Nkomo comes from to be controlled by counter revolutionaries,” he said.

Cde Malaba described last week’s commemorations as a success and applauded members of the public and different organisations that participated in the programme.

He said: “Last week’s programme was a huge success despite the fact that we ended up suspending some of the activities as we had to attend the grand launch of the party’s election manifesto in Harare.

“The turn-out was good for our programme and the two lectures we organised were  well attended. People attach great importance the the legacy left behind by Dr Nkomo.”

Cde Malaba said his committee was planning to organise a huge rally in Bulawayo, which would be addressed by President Mugabe to be dedicated to the late VP.

Meanwhile, Joshua Nkomo National Foundation chief executive officer, Mr Jabulani Hadebe, said several programmes have been lined up to honour the late National Hero throughout the year.

He said there will be a music festival for Dr Nkomo at Gweru’s Ascot Stadium on 31 August followed by a Joshua Nkomo marathon on 29 September in Bulawayo.

Said Mr Hadebe: “The 21km marathon race would start at Joshua Nkomo Museum in Matsheumhlophe to his house in Pelandaba. There would be three categories in the race, the professional athletes and primary school children who would run a 5km race.

“Secondary school children aged 18 and below would do a 3x7km relay. There would be another category for veterans such as former freedom fighters and the elderly who would do a 5km race.”

Mr Hadebe said the activities were part of measures to preserve the legacy of Dr Nkomo and said Zimbabweans must come in their numbers to participate in the events.

Those who are keen to participate can contact Mr Hadebe on 0772 641 861 or 0713 562 479.
Last week Zanu-PF and the Nkomo family in partnership with the Matojeni Cultural Association organised several activities to commemorate 14 years since the death of Dr Nkomo.