President Mugabe commissioned the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and unveiled the statue of the late Vice-President, Dr Joshua Nkomo in Bulawayo on December 22, 2013.
He also renamed Main Street, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street. As we mark 17 years of the death of Dr Nkomo, we publish below the full text of the speeches:
AT THE AIRPORT
It is my singular honour and privilege to officiate at this historic event, the commissioning of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport, befittingly coinciding with our National Unity Day.
As you may recall, in 2002, Government took the decision to rename the Bulawayo Airport after the late Mdala Wethu Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo. This was in recognition of the late Vice President’s immense contribution, not only to our liberation struggle, but also to the social and economic development of independent Zimbabwe.
Then, we decided that the airport infrastructure and services and would be upgraded, to match the status of Zimbabwe’s second largest city.
Pursuant to the above, in 2003, a ground-breaking ceremony, led by the late Vice President Msika, was held at this site, signalling the beginning of a project which has, regrettably, taken a decade to complete.
Initially pencilled to be completed within a space of just two years, this project, unfortunately, was bedevilled by many challenges.
It was caught in the era of hyper-inflation, characterised by an acute shortage of foreign currency and materials.
Yes, it is one of those projects severely affected by illegal sanctions imposed on us by Britain and her western allies after we embarked on our Land Reform Programme.
How could we not claim back our land, the land which Umdala Wethu had fought for, for most of his life?
As we celebrate the commissioning of this magnificent project, we must also celebrate the victory of the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe over colonialism.
Today, I am proud to commission a new look, complete and operational terminal airport building, now part of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
My Government always acknowledges the important role played by air transport in promoting and facilitating national economic development, mainly through tourism, trade, investment and business travel.
For this reason, at independence, Zimbabwe became a signatory to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
The convention ensures that our aviation sector is developed and managed according to international standards.
In pursuit of maintaining and complying with international standards, Government, in 1999, transformed the then department of civic aviation into an autonomous Civil Aviation Authority. This resulted in the country attaining compliance with international aviation safety and security requirements.
In this regard, I note with much satisfaction that Zimbabwe has since continued to improve its security requirements.
My Government has also taken major steps to support the aviation sector. For example, the Victoria Falls terminal was renovated to facilitate the hosting of the Commonwealth Heads Government Meeting (CHOGM), while Government provided the resources for the major modernization of the airspace management systems.
The construction of the catering uplift facility at Harare International Airport was established in 1992, and the construction of the Harare Airport International Terminal Building was completed in 2000.
During this year’s UNWTO, the Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe’s tourists hub, received extension and improvements of its terminal building.
Ladies and gentlemen, the completion of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport is one of the quick wins of our new economic blue print, Zim Asset.
As we celebrate Unity Day today, we are at the same time also celebrating yet another milestone towards the fulfillment of our economic blueprint.
I urge the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to urgently complete the remaining phases of this project and, they then should move on to develop other airports at Kariba, Buffalo Range and Mutare.
Comrades and friends, in order to improve the quality of services in the civil aviation sector, Government is set to separate regulator functions from commercial operations of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
This should not only enhance safety and security compliance, but will also entice the private sector participation in airport operations.
The relevant Bill should be brought to the current session of the Parliament for consideration.
My Government has also continued to support the aviation sector by establishing air links with other states.
To this end, Zimbabwe has to date concluded bilateral air service agreements with 47 countries.
I urge the relevant Ministry to explore other areas of cooperation in this sector and proceed to open connectivity with non-traditional emerging markets. In so doing there is need for close collaboration between the civil aviation authorities and tourism promotion authorities.
In order to ensure that our airports are optimally utilised, I urge the relevant Ministries to aggressively market Air Zimbabwe.
One of the long term solutions should be found in recapitalising Air Zimbabwe. In marketing itself, the Ministry must seriously consider inviting other airlines to open their routes schedule with Bulawayo.
In addition Government will prioritise Bulawayo in its efforts to revive the city’s industry.
In this regard, I want to put on record Government’s determination to ensure that Bulawayo is resuscitated. The city must reaffirm its position as an industrial hub and Zimbabwe second largest city.
Finally, I am satisfied that the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport we have just commissioned should be a constant reminder to us of the sacrifices made and good work performed by Umdala Wethu during our liberation struggle and after we attained our independence.
Comrade and friends, it is now my pleasure to declare the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport terminal building officially opened.
UNVEILING THE STATUE AND RENAMING MAIN STREET AFTER DR NKOMO
Today, the 22nd of December, Zimbabwe celebrates 26 years of the signing of the Unity Accord.
The accord cemented the unity of the two liberation movements that had gallantly fought side by side to liberate Zimbabwe.
The unity between the two liberation movements, long anticipated, finally materialised when the two signatories of the liberation of the two liberation parties, Zanu and Zapu, Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo signed the Unity Accord on the 22nd December 1987.
I feel singularly honoured, therefore, as one the Unity Accord signatories, to be unveiling the statue of the other signatory, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, my co-partner in the Unity Accord which assured unity and peace in Zimbabwe.
The unveiling of the statue is immediately followed by the renaming of the Main Street after Dr Joshua Nkomo as well.
As we commemorate this Unity Day, we do so to particularly remember the many key roles that Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo played in fighting for this country’s independence.
His clear vision and leadership were invaluable in shaping the new Zimbabwe, Umdala Wethu, Chibwechitedza, Mwana Wevhu, a true son of the soil.
Dr Joshua Nkomo was from a very early age involved in trade unionism.
From the very beginning he was at the very centre of nationalist politics that ultimately culminated in the formation of Zipra and Zanla.
These are the liberation movements whose armed confrontation against the Smith regime resulted in the birth of the Zimbabwe we cherish today.
Like our ancestors before us, who had joined hands to liberate themselves by waging the First Chimurenga, the Second Chimurenga, of Zanu and Zapu, jointly fought the colonial system.
The Second Chimurenga was heavily inspired by the First Chimurenga, hence our constant references during the liberation struggle, to the legendary Mbuya Nehanda, Mukwati, Sekuru Kaguvi, King Lobengula and many other heroes of the First Chimurenga.
Heroes of First Chimurenga gave our generation inspiration, and the determination to take up arms and fight our oppressors.
At independence, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo was in the forefront of building a new Zimbabwe which was guided by the spirit of reconciliation.
A just and democratic Zimbabwe, what we had all fought for, was always at the heart of Zimbabwe.
The statue we are gathered here to officially unveil and the street we have renamed, are the real story of Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans, our struggles and our aspirations as a people.
That story is embodied in the person of Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo.
Both the statue and the renamed street commemorate and are a tribute to Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, for his leadership, his dedication and his ability to understand and translate the aspirations of Zimbabweans.
During his life, he pursued many national roles, before and after independence. The statue and renamed street reconnect us with Umdala Wethu.
They are a collective remainder that this country was not given on a silver platter.
We fought a bitter armed struggle to get back our country. Never should we forget that. Taking back the land would be one sure way of making Mdala Wethu roll with joy in his grave!
The man whose statue we are unveiling today has always had the land issue at his heart.
He was “Mwana Wevhu”, son of the soil. Umdala Wethu’s deathbed message remains vivid to me, to this day.
He told me to continue the land reform programme and maintain the unity of the people.
The statue, a national monument, is therefore, part of the national heritage of Zimbabwe which embodies the national values and aspirations of Zimbabweans.
The statue and the renamed street allow us to continuously reflect on where we stand as a nation, also to introspect on what we are doing, as people, vis-à-vis what Dr Joshua Nkomo stood for.
I take this opportunity, to thank all the people through whose combined effort, art, sculpture and architecture, contributed to the construction of the statue that we unveil today.
We note that an earlier attempt had not satisfied us that the statue was an accurate representation of the Joshua Nkomo that we know, a man of the people, a man that we honour and respect, a man who knew no tribalism nor regionalism. He was indeed immersed in unity.
As I now officially unveil this statue and rename this street, it is my expectation that we all view the two events and things as sources of inspiration, courage, unity of purpose and a national reference point for Zimbabweans as they continue to build and make a better Zimbabwe for present and future generations.
I declare this national monument unveiled and the street renamed accordingly.
I thank you.