Be Patriotic: Zimbabwe President Tells Nation

President Mugabe chats to Cde Edward Nkomo while the late Vice President John Landa Nkomo’s son Jabu and Zanu-PF National Chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo look on at the Vice President’s memorial service in Bulawayo yesterday. (Photo: Elias Saushoma), a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Be patriotic, President tells nation

Monday, 13 May 2013 00:00
Bulawayo Bureau
Zimbabwe Herald

ZIMBABWEANS should be patriotic and principled and value the nation ahead of transient interests, President Mugabe has said.

Speaking at the memorial service for Vice President Dr John Landa Nkomo at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Hall 4 here yesterday, the President urged people not to forget their history and to remain patriotic.

“One thing that you must not forget is your freedom and independence of being a Zimbabwean. We have noted that the urban people think of their food first. To them it doesn’t matter whether you have Smith or neo-colonists in control. No, you need to be principled especially now as we are going to the elections.

“We brought independence, we suffered for it. The settler regime was absolutely ruthless and some of our comrades were kidnapped and we don’t know their graves up to today.

“We are celebrating commitment based on high level of discipline and the celebration must be genuine as John Landa offered himself in total to liberate us,” he said.

The President reiterated the need for peace ahead of the elections.

“As we are now heading towards the elections, let there be peace. Peace begins with me, peace begins with you and peace begins with all of us. These are the words that John Landa died with on his lips. I will know that I am a true follower of John Landa when I cast my vote,” he said.

Dr John Landa Nkomo, President Mugabe said, was a man of principle, non-racial, non-tribalistic and people oriented with a high level of discipline, and survived many attacks during the liberation struggle.

“We are celebrating the life of our late Vice President John Landa Nkomo. Roughly it’s now some five months since the day we woke up to the painful news of the loss of Cde Nkomo.

“I used to call him a survivor and I say to myself, our survivor is gone. Why did I call him a survivor? We had periods of political trials, tribulations here at home together, National Democratic Party, Zapu and even as three parties when some of us were in Zanu and some in Zapu but we all linked up,” he said.

President Mugabe said Dr Nkomo survived the pain of prison life, detention and restriction.

“He has been to various prisons, detention and restriction centres. He was a real comrade in arms, never surrendering, never going back,” he said

President Mugabe said Dr Nkomo survived many attacks at the hands of the Rhodesian forces.

“The late Vice President was also a victim of a bomb explosion that killed JZ (Cde Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo) in 1977. John miraculously survived with injuries and pain. Yes, we had all survived the pain of prison, detention and restriction life. God did not want John to die at that time,” he said.

President Mugabe said the late Vice President was a man of his words whose contribution towards the liberation of the country would be treasured forever.

“In the presence of Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Nkomo, Dr Joseph Msika and others, John Landa appeared a colleague who came after them, but he knew how Father Zimbabwe treasured his contributions.

“Indeed, he was a man of his word, a man of principle and a man of a high level of virtue and discipline. Dr John Landa was much more people-oriented, democratic, non-racial and a non-tribalist,” he said.

President Mugabe described the late Vice President Nkomo as a patriot who dedicated his life to Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and prosperity.

He said the black colour on the national flag signifies the majority rule, which was brought through sacrifices made by gallant heroes such as the late Vice President.

“Black is beautiful and the beauty of it came from the wounds of people like John Landa Nkomo. The suffering they went through, the detention and the discomfort they endured. It was the struggle for the people and by the people led by those who dedicated to offer their sacrifices like John Landa.”

Meanwhile, President Mugabe noted that the country has been afflicted by hunger following floods and a dry spell.

He said Government had sourced 150 000 tonnes of grain from Zambia, which would be delivered soon.

“We have been afflicted by hunger and the Government is doing all it can to import grain from other countries.

“We require 150 000 tonnes of grain and Zambia has offered to assist us. President Sata (Zambian President) has since sent his Vice President (Guy Scott) and two ministers to discuss the mechanisms of how that grain can be delivered,” he said.

Cde Mugabe met Mr Scott together with Zambian Foreign and Agriculture Ministers Efron Lungu and Robert Sichinga respectively in Harare last week to finalise the government to government agreement for Zimbabwe to import the 150 000 tonnes of grain.

The deal is despite spirited attempts by Finance Minister Tendai Biti to have maize imported from Zambia by private companies.
Minister Biti’s route would have affected the poor as they would not be able to buy the grain from private companies that would sell at exorbitant prices.

In his welcome remarks, Bulawayo Metropolitan Governor, Cde Cain Mathema described Dr Nkomo as a humble nationalist and liberator who played a leading role in the economic emancipation of Zimbabweans.

“There can be no peace while there is tribalism. Dr Nkomo was not a tribalist. In fact, he was a unifier, a liberator and democrat. He taught us that there can be no peace if the economy is in the hands of foreigners,” he said.

Zanu PF national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said Dr Nkomo was an exceptional leader full of charisma, charm and character.

“Our late Vice President, Dr Nkomo was an exceptional man, a man of charisma, charm and character whose life was dedicated to economic emancipation of our people,” he said.

The late Vice President’s son, Cde Jabulani Nkomo said his father was a stronger fighter who despite his deteriorating health, continued to diligently serve the nation with passion and commitment.

He also paid tribute to President Mugabe for his emotional support when Dr Nkomo’s health deteriorated.

“My father was an incredible dad to us and his grandchildren and as a family we really treasured him and adored him as a great man and his works speak for themselves. He was a peacemaker and on behalf of the Nkomo family, I would like to pay tribute to President Mugabe for being there when our father’s health deteriorated,” he said.

Dr Nkomo was born on August 22 1934 and died on January 17 2013 at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare following a battle with cancer. He was buried at the National Heroes’ Acre.

He served as Vice President of Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013. After serving for years as a minister in various portfolios, he became the Speaker of Parliament from 2005 to 2008.

He was then appointed to the Senate in 2008 and was Minister of State in the President’s Office in 2009. Dr Nkomo was also Zanu-PF national chairman until December 2009, when he became Vice President of the party.

As a result of his elevation to the party’s vice-presidency, he also became Vice-President of Zimbabwe in December 2009.

Among those who attended the event were traditional chiefs, service chiefs, Ministers of Home Affairs, Defence and State Security, Cdes Kembo Mohadi, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Sydney Sekeramayi among others. Governors Angeline Masuku and Cde Thokozile Mathuthu also attended.