Stephen Chadenga
Zimbabwe Social Democrats (ZSD) president Nkosikhona (MdalawethuNkosii) Ndlovu has taken a swipe at the statue for the late Father Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo erected ahead of the country’s 46th Independence Day celebrations being held Saturday in Maphisa, Matebeleland South, describing it as a “public mockery” of the liberation icon.
Ndlovu said Zimbabwe’s national heroes should never be ridiculed but must be honoured with dignity.
“A job well done (in taking down the statue). A man of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo’s stature deserved honour, dignity and historical truth not a distorted caricature presented as tribute,”Ndlovu said.
“To many people that statue was never a celebration of Father Zimbabwe but a public mockery of a liberation icon whose legacy is deeply woven into the nation’s history.
“Leaders may come and go but national heroes must never be reduced to ridicule. Zimbabwe must learn to preserve memory with respect, fairness and dignity.
“Joshua Nkomo’s legacy cannot be erased, insulted or replaced by propaganda”
Journalists in the Midlands capital also shared similar sentiments with the ZSD president expressing their displeasure at the statue.
Posting in their Gweru Press Club WhatsApp group the scribes said a man of Nkomo’s status should be respected with dignity.
“Apa ndipo mazotidherera,”one journalist said.
“That was an insult to umdala wethu,”another said.
“Dai vakapa basa uya akaita the one (Nkomo’s statue) in Bulawayo kana achiripo,”said another one.
“Mmm chakazobvisiwa hacho, akanga ari ma1,”another posted.