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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
THE John Landa Nkomo Memorial Trust has commenced constructing a clinic in Tsholotsho to be named after the late Vice President as the new trust works to preserve his legacy.Speaking during a ground-breaking ceremony for the project that is being undertaken in partnership with the local community, Zanu-PF Tsholotsho South  MP Cde Zenzo Sibanda said the President’s Office      had donated cement towards the construction project.

“I’m pleased that Landa Nkomo built a school for us and when the idea of a school came, we thought it wise that it be named after him. We did this so that resource mobilisation could be easy. As we speak we have received 100 bags of cement from the President’s Office,” said Cde Sibanda.

He said naming the clinic after Cde Landa Nkomo was in line with preserving his legacy.

Cde Sibanda said the construction of the clinic would ease challenges faced by villagers who commute for 11KM to Tsholotsho Centre to access medical treatment.

“This is what Zim-Asset is talking about, providing social services to the people. We have four other clinics that we are constructing in this constituency. We want to deliver promises we made to the people,” he said.

Cde Sibanda said villagers should not politicise the John Landa Nkomo’s clinic as he was a national figure who stood for everyone.

“If you want to politicise this clinic get out. If we mention Landa’s name, things will start moving. If you want political issues wait for 2018,” he said.

The late Vice President’s son Jabulani Nkomo, who is also the board chairman of the Landa Nkomo Trust, said he was humbled that his father was being recognised even after his death.

“We are proud that even after his death he is being recognised. We need to work together so that we can build a clinic. We can’t expect someone from somewhere to come and do this work for us. As a trust we will assist in the best possible way,” said Nkomo.

He said the trust is prioritising Landa J Nkomo High School’s completion and also appealed to well-wishers to fund the project.

The councillor for the area, Cde Melusi Ndebele, commended the Tsholotsho community for its commitment to the clinic project as they contributed through manual labour.

He said as part of the organising committee they had received many pledges for most of the construction materials.