Government’s annual Nkomo gala angers Bulawayo residents

By Tererai Karimakwenda
06 July 2006

The annual Umdala Wethu Gala held in July to commemorate the man affectionately known as Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Nqabuko Nkomo, takes place on Friday amidst much controversy. Bulawayo residents say the event has been commercialised by the government and some local musicians have threatened to organise a rival gala complaining that they have been left out. Our Bulawayo correspondent Themba Nkosi reports that many residents in the city believe the government is abusing Nkomo’s name by organising a commercial musical event. He said there were even allegations that some of the artists who have been booked participated in anti-Nkomo campaigns in the 1980s which were spearheaded by the same government pretending to celebrate him now.
Nkomo died at age 82 on July 1, 1999 after a long illness. This year the gala is scheduled for the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds in Bulawayo. Nkosi said the disgruntled musicians had planned to organise a rival gala at White City Stadium in Bulawayo. But they were not able to book the stadium on time and are still organising themselves and raising funds. Nkosi believes they might initiate an alternative date that will become annual as well. The location of the Trade Fair grounds has also been criticised. White City Stadium is considered a more practical venue by residents from the high-density areas because they can access it via direct public transportation.
We were unable to reach the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation, which co-ordinates the galas and all other activities relating to the late ZAPU leader, for comment. But every July, Zimbabweans remember the liberation war hero and vice president they lovingly call “Umdala Wethu”.

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