About
Joshua Nkomo was a Zimbabwean Politician and Vice President of Zimbabwe from 1987 to 1999.
(19 June 1917 – 1 July 1999)
Resting Place
National Heroes Acre
Death cause
Prostate cancer
Early Life
Born Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo on the 19th of June 1917 in Bulilima(Matebeleland South).
Nick Names
Umafukufuku, Father Zimbabwe, Chibwechitedza and uMdala wethu
Family
Grandfather – Motsomi Mqabuko
Father- Thomas Nyongolo Letswansto Nkomo
Mother – Mlingo Hadebe
Spouse – Johanna MaFuyana
Children – Thandiwe Nkomo, Ernest Thutani, Michael Sibangilizwe, Louise Sehlule, Themba Nkomo
Education
Primary – Tsholotsho Primary School
Secondary- Adams College
Tertiary – Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology (University of South Africa)
Career
Social Worker, Rhodesia Railways (now National Railways of Zimbabwe) (1947)
Secretary-General, Railway African Workers Union (1951)
President, African National Congress, (1952 and 1957)
President of National Democratic Party (1960)
President of Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) (1961–87)
Formed Patriotic Front with Robert Mugabe (1976)
Commander of military and political wings of ZAPU, (1977)
Minister of Home Affairs (1980)
Minister without Portfolio (1981)
Member of Parliament for the Midlands (1980-1985)
Member of Parliament for Magwegwe (1985-1990)
Senior Minister for development ministries (1988)
Vice-President of Zimbabwe (1987-1999).
Trivia
Was arrested in 1964 by Ian Smith’s government and spent 10 years in prison detained Gonakudzingwa Restriction Camp
Was once a Methodist lay preacher but later converted to Roman Catholic
Fled into exile in 1983 disguised as a woman due to a fall-out with Robert Mugabe
Allowed his party ZAPU to be absorbed by ZANU to form ZANU-PF in a bid to end Gukurahundi massacres
Survived three assassination attempts, one by Selous scouts, the other by Rhodesian Special Air Service and the other by Zanu government
