THE late former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko has been remembered as one of the first people to honour the legacy of his predecessor John Landa Nkomo through various donations to a trust named after the latter.
Mphoko passed away last week, while receiving treatment in India.
He was 84.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared him a national hero. He will, however, be buried in Bulawayo.
Mphoko was appointed Vice-President of Zanu PF and the country in December 2014, replacing Nkomo who had died the previous year.
The John Landa Nkomo Trust said Mphoko was one of the first people to honour the legacy of Nkomo through donating a floating trophy earmarked for Tsholotsho Inter Schools competition under the banner of the John Landa Nkomo Sports Tournament.
“When my father was in hospital in his last days, Cde Mphoko made efforts to visit from his base in Botswana and if he was unable to come through, he would regularly call me to enquire how the old man was doing,” Nkomo’s son, Jabulani, who is the chairperson of the trust, said.
“He was eager to see the continued legacy of my father, a testimony to the close relationship they shared.”
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Senior struggle stalwart Senator Angeline Masuku said Mphoko and Nkomo retained a close relationship throughout the struggle days, after Independence and right up until the passing of the latter in 2013.
“Following in the footsteps of Nkomo, who dedicated his life to the improvement of the people’s well-being both economically and health wise, the late VP Mphoko showed similar compassion,” Masuku, who is a member of the trust, said.
Another trustee, who is also a liberation war detainee and a younger brother of Nkomo, Public Nkomo, said Mphoko showed a tremendous spirit of unity and was instrumental in the setting up of Zipa.
“The late VP Mphoko worked closely with Cde John Landa Nkomo and the trust recognises the contributions he made towards supporting the legacy of JL Nkomo.”
Mphoko was born on June 11, 1940 at Gwizane in Bubi district, Matabeleland North province.
Mphoko was under the special affairs programme together with Albert Nxele, Walter Mbambo and Sam Dumaza Mpofu, who were selected by Zapu leader Joshua Nkomo to go for military training.
He was one of the first seven commanders commissioned by the political leadership to recruit, train and command Zimbabweans into a revolutionary army.
Mphoko served as the country’s ambassador to Russia, Botswana and South Africa.
