‘Nkomo must be turning in his grave’
By Fungi Kwaramba
HARARE – THE late Vice President Joshua Nkomo could be turning in his grave as “vultures” are after his Nuanetsi ranch, and his medical centre in Bulawayo, a town so dear to him, has failed to take off.
Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary since Nkomo died.
And the only landmark Father Zimbabwe is remembered by, is an airport in Bulawayo and a statue erected in the Bulawayo city centre.
Nkomo’s figure dominates the exact spot overlooking an expansive intersection the statue of colonialist Cecil John Rhodes used to occupy.
The statue was officially unveiled by President Robert Mugabe on December 22, last year, a day when Zimbabwe celebrates the Unity Day.
The statue that stands tall in Bulawayo’s central business district was recently declared a national monument by the government through the Home Affairs ministry.
Besides these two projects, Nkomo’s other major projects are on their death throes.
Analysts told the Daily News yesterday that Nkomo could be turning in his grave.
University of Zimbabwe lecturer Eldred Masunungure said although there were signs that Zimbabwe was descending both economically and politically, he did not think Nkomo would have perceived the depth of decay in the country.
“He would be disappointed to see Zimbabwe in this state,” Masunungure said.
“This is not the Zimbabwe he envisaged. It is a reversal of all the things that he cherished. He would shed copious tears with the desolate state of the nation that he worked so desperately to liberate.”
Nkomo’s Nuanetsi ranch, which is registered in the name of the Development Trust of Zimbabwe (DTZ), earmarked to produce bio-fuels in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld region, is facing seizure by the Zanu PF political leadership allegedly led by Masvingo provincial minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti.
Charles Madonko, resident director of Nuanetsi ranch, last week pleaded with Mugabe to intervene and stop the land seizure.
“I remember during Josh’s last days, he would always chase me away from his bedside charging me to go back to Nuanetsi and protect the property,” Madonko said.
“His final words on the matter were ‘I am going but Robert Mugabe will take care of you.’
“I wish the old lady Mafuyana was alive, she would stand by me on this truth. I am being told to stop talking to the press, but I cannot, I need to hear the president himself pronounce to me that ‘Madonko, I have reversed my pledge to Nkomo and allowed the takeover of the ranch by Bhasikiti and his crew, once I hear this then I back off.”
Ekuseleni Medical Centre, a brainchild of the late nationalist who conceived the idea after failing to get specialist treatment for prostate cancer, is still to open its doors to the public.
A road linking Harare central business district and the Harare International Airport, that is also to be named after Nkomo is in limbo.
Dumisani Nkomo, a Bulawayo-based political analyst said the founding father of Zimbabwe must be turning in his grave.
“Not enough is being done, especially in terms of the practical things (to remember him),” Nkomo said.
“If we begin with basic things, that will be a sign of remembering him. It is only twice during Unity Day in Zimbabwe and also on July 2, that the nation remembers him.”
“It is important to remember his political ideas such as tolerance. In his book he talks about tolerance, he cautions against serving the interests of the political elite. I should think if he was to wake up today he would not be happy. I think he is turning in his grave.” Daily News
