MDC-T councillors in Harare unanimously agreed to have the statue of the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo erected at Africa Unity Square in honour of the revered nationalist who died in 1999.
BY MOSES MATENGA
Councillor Tungamirai Madzokere who, in 2011, argued against Nkomo’s statue being erected at the Karigamombe Centre in the city, moved the motion to have the statue put at Africa Unity Square.
All MDC-T councillors endorsed the suggestion while no contribution on the subject came from their Zanu PF counterparts.
“We approved the erection of the statue, but did not approve Karigamombe Centre. I propose the statue be erected at Africa Unity Square in respect of the late Joshua Nkomo,” Madzokere said.
Councillor Peter Moyo seconded Madzokere’s suggestion before councillors Wilson Janjazi and Panganai Charumbira endorsed it. “I don’t think there is anyone who can dispute the contribution by Nkomo. He is one of the nationalists who removed us from the yoke of colonialism,” Moyo said
“We have different tribes here, some are Kalangas, some Shonas, but he united as all. We have to put the statue at Africa Unity Square.”
Acting mayor Thomas Muzuva said the matter should come from the Environmental Management Committee.
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The Nkomo family and several other people in 2011 opposed the erection of the statue at Karigamombe Centre saying it was a way to celebrate the supposed defeat of their father and PF Zapu, a party he led.
Karigamombe is President Robert Mugabe’s family name.
Karigamombe means bull-feller. Nkomo is a Ndebele term for cattle and the late PF Zapu leader used the bull as his party’s campaign symbol when Nkomo was his bitterest political rival before the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987.
