All set for Joshua Nkomo walk

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ORGANISERS of tomorrow’s General Josh Legacy Walk in Bulawayo in honour of the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo yesterday said all was set for the event, which also marks the 17th anniversary of his death.

ORGANISERS of tomorrow’s General Josh Legacy Walk in Bulawayo in honour of the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo yesterday said all was set for the event, which also marks the 17th anniversary of his death.

BY TALENT GUMPO

Bulawayo South legislator Eddie Cross makes a contribution during the AMH Conversations at the “No To Corruption” discussion at a local hotel in the capital yesterday
Bulawayo South legislator Eddie Cross makes a contribution during the AMH Conversations at the “No To Corruption” discussion at a local hotel in the capital yesterday

Nkomo died on July 1, 1999, after battling prostate cancer for several years.

Joshua Nkomo Foundation national director Mehluli Moyo told Southern Eye that the solidarity march would start at Blue Lagoon at Renkini bus terminus, pass by his (Nkomo’s) statue in the city centre and end at Stanley Square in Makokoba,” he said.

“The General Josh Walk, Uhambo LukaMdala, is meant to honour the late Father Zimbabwe for his role in the liberation of the country, him being the commander-in-chief and unionist.

“The walk is very important as we will honour the different phases of Umdala Wethu’s life. We appeal to everyone to be part of the walk.”

Moyo said, importantly, the walk would showcase Nkomo’s quest for unity, peace and tolerance among Zimbabweans.

“We have invited different stakeholders to take part in the commemorations because the walk will mark the beginning of a long process of tolerance,” he said.

“We need to cultivate a culture of co-existence in our different political orientations.”

Moyo said several political parties, among them MDC, MDC-T, Zanu PF, ZimPF, Zapu, ZimFirst, Mthwakazi Republic Party, Zimbabwe Communist Group and Zimbabwe Communist League, had been invited.

The Joshua Nkomo Youth Movement and Mthwakazi KaMzilikazi Cultural Association are also set to grace the occasion.

“On the particular day, we will put aside our different political ideologies and push Father Zimbabwe’s ideology of unity. So on the day of the walk, people will not be allowed to put on their party regalia,” Moyo said, in contradiction to his earlier statement that party regalia would be allowed.

“We want to be united, as Father Zimbabwe always advocated for unity.

“There will be solidarity messages from various organisations and political groups. The walk will continue from the statue to 8th Avenue, then to Herbert Chitepo Street, into 6th Avenue, then proceed to Stanley Square, where the rest of the commemorations will take place.”