Nkosentsha Khumalo
BULAWAYO residents joined the rest of Zimbabwe to honour the nations fallen heroes today. But there’s growing concern filled with irony thick in the air about the treatment of one of the country’s most revered figures, the late Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo.
His statue, located along the bustling 8th Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Street in Bulawayo, a symbol of pride and remembrance, has now become a popular spot for couples on dates and opportunistic photographers looking to make a quick buck.
Father Zimbabwe, has fallen victim to an insidious wave of disrespect.
This shameful disregard for the history and significance of the statue stands in stark contrast to the reverence shown to other national heroes, such as Mbuya Nehanda whose statue is heavily guarded to prevent such disrespect.
The once imposing chains that protected the statue have been vandalized, leaving the site unprotected and vulnerable to further degradation.
Taking advantage of the situation, camera-toting entrepreneurs have set up shop around the statue, preying on unwitting passersby with promises of memorable photos in exchange for a quick buck.
Compounding the issue of disrespect, the lack of guards or any sort of protection has led to the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo statue and surrounding area becoming a dumping ground for both litter and picnics alike.
The once hallowed spot has been transformed into a common hangout for couples on dates, their romantic picnics tainting the solemnity of the place.
This neglectful treatment echoes that of the Heroes Acre in Nkulumane 12, where tall grass has overgrown the site and no fencing.
In stark contrast to the wanton disregard for the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo statue, Mbuya Nehanda’s monument in Harare stands as an impenetrable fortress, guarded day and night to protect its sanctity.
The statue which is situated at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way, is encircled by a secure perimetre, inaccessible to any would-be vandals or trespassers.
In Harare, a mere act of playing or loitering around Mbuya Nehanda’s statue is met with swift and severe punishment. Even the slightest hint of disrespect towards the revered national heroine is not tolerated, with offenders subject to immediate arrest and prosecution.
This stark contrast to the lax security and rampant vandalism at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo statue has stirred the embers of discontent among many who view the disparities as a reflection of the regional and tribal biases that continue to plague Zimbabwean society.
The difference in treatment and protection between the two national heroes’ statues is a poignant reminder of the value placed on their respective legacies.
Adding to the sense of exclusion and discrimination, the ZIPRA and ZAPU cadres, who valiantly fought for Zimbabwe’s independence, have largely been relegated to street names in Bulawayo alone.
In contrast, the names of Shona surnamed heroes are widely used as street names across the country, even in the Matabeleland region.
This disparity has fueled concerns about historical revisionism, with many questioning whether the sacrifices of these freedom fighters are being marginalized and forgotten in favour of a more selective, skewed narrative of the country’s past.
In an attempt to shed light on the situation, reporters from Zim GBC News approached the photographers huddled around Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo’s statue this afternoon.
When questioned about their motives, the photographers asserted that their presence at the site was a simple matter of survival.
“This is our source of income. We’re just trying to make ends meet,” one photographer responded, his camera slung over his shoulder.
When asked if they were aware of the disrespect their presence might bring to the statue, another photographer remarked, “Comrade Joshua was a man of the people. I’m sure he wouldn’t want his statue to be guarded like a fortress.
The photographers also revealed that the statue had been recently damaged by a car accident.
“Just last month, a car hit the statue,” one of the photographers revealed, his face depicting a mix of frustration and resignation.
“We tried to reach out to the city council, but our cries for a fence or perimeter to protect the statue were ignored.”
Their pleas for action, it seemed, had gone unheeded, leaving the fate of the statue precariously in limbo.
Reporters from Zim GBC News, upon closer inspection, observed that the site around Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo’s statue was littered with the detritus of public negligence.
Discarded water bottles, crumpled chip packets, and scattered papers have accumulated like a halo of disrespect around the base of the statue, further tarnishing its solemnity.
The statue itself, once a proud and polished tribute to the freedom fighter, had begun to show signs of wear.
The chains that had once protected it have become loose and frayed, while the elements have also taken their toll, dulling the luster of the bronze.
Even on Heroes Day, when Zimbabweans are meant to honour their fallen heroes, the statue stood as a neglected reminder of the country’s forgotten past.
Zim GBC News ©2024