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Prosper Ndlovu and Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporters
EX-ZIPRA combatants and the Nkomo family yesterday called on former freedom fighters to unite in the spirit of the late Vice President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and bury past grievances to foster national progress. Speaking during commemorations to mark 15 years since Dr Nkomo’s death in 1999, the Nkomo family and surviving ex-Zipra cadres implored Zimbabweans to move on and let go of past injustices.

“I’m personally in pain and hurting. I believe you could also be bleeding too. Kodwa yithina esingaqeda lokhu ukopha. Abamasiko bathi asithobeni amanxeba. It’s time we seriously heal ourselves, individually, at family level and then collaboratively as a nation,” Dr Nkomo’s son, Sibangilizwe told a large gathering at Bulawayo’s Stanley Square.

“This is important for us to go forward socially, economically and in all other aspects of our lives. It’s the only way to truly honour our founding fathers and mothers whose sacrifices can’t be in vain.”

Sibangilizwe, who chairs the Joshua Nkomo Cultural Movement (JNCM), said holding onto past political grievances, in apparent reference to the political strife in the early 1980s known as the Gukurahundi era and political differences to date, would continue to hinder progress.

“The birth pains of this nation were too prolonged and we are all still bleeding years after the birth of our country. We’ve been torn between black and white, both suffered untold pain and it is time to let true healing.

“We’ve fought brother against brother, region against region and through the common ground that culture provides, let’s promote self healing and calm. I plead with all of you from the depth of my heart,” said Sibangilizwe.

He added: “Why should we do that atonement? It is good and progressive for us and the future generations whose success and prosperity depends on our actions, and also to respect our departed leaders.”

Sibangilizwe said the Nkomo family was committed to national healing and nation building and would play its part accordingly.

Zipra Veterans Trust leader Cde Buster Magwizi said it was incumbent upon all Zimbabweans to respect Dr Nkomo’s vision of a peaceful and united country.

“Let’s also build peace and heal the wounds of past strife. Let’s stop discriminating each other according to tribes or culture. Nkomo was respected by all in this country and that’s why he was called Father Zimbabwe,” he said. “Let’s unite like Nkomo wished and stop discriminating each other even politically. Zipra and Zanla cadres must unite because our afflictions and experiences are the same.”

Cde Magwizi said although Nkomo died in 1999, his values and vision would continue to guide Zimbabwe.

“When Nkomo died people mourned fearing his values would die. He was a master of healing and a master of peace based on restorative justice,” he said.

“We remember him because he used all he could to broker peace. Yes, some ridiculed him saying he was a moderate but the issue is that he was a peace builder, he didn’t want destruction.”

Cde Magwizi challenged intellectuals and students at colleges and universities to have more writings on Dr Nkomo and his contributions as a way of perpetuating his legacy.

The Zipra cadres and the Nkomo family applauded the government for a three-pronged honour bestowed on Dr Nkomo last December. They said the renaming of Bulawayo airport after the late nationalist icon symbolises the highest honour bestowed on Dr Nkomo for his contribution to the country.

Cde Magwizi called on the government to declare July 1 a national holiday and expedite the re-opening of Ekusileni Medical Centre in Bulawayo, a brain child of the late Vice President.

The Nkomo family said July 1 had become a day to remember not only their father but fallen heroes as well who shared the bitter experience of the liberation struggle.

Sibangilizwe also called for preservation of cultural values and belief systems, which he said were under threat.

“Let’s desist from desecrating our revered shrines. A lot of damage has been done and we can’t as a people have respect unless we respect those things that our forebears respected,” he said.

“Let’s revive our various customary practices and let’s have the traditional leaders advise us accordingly. This jambanja approach won’t only fail but risk the intended results.”

Bulawayo Provincial Minister of State Cde Nomthandazo Moyo said the nation had failed to honour Dr Nkomo by letting his own family organise commemorations about his legacy on their own.

She narrated how Nkomo led the country through the liberation struggle to independence in 1980 and described him as a strong politician.

“We’ve failed to make this man a hero. Dr Nkomo was a strong politician. Today Sibangilizwe has encouraged us to move forward and heal the wounds. We want unity and peace for the sake of development in our country,” said Cde Moyo.

She said she was delighted to see the establishment of projects in honour of the late national hero who had a passion for development. She commended the Nkomo family for taking the initiative to organise the event and coming up with the theme “national healing and reconciliation”.