Joshua Nkomo was a central figure in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and a foundational leader in the country’s political history. Born on June 19, 1917, in Semokwe, Matabeleland, he belonged to the Kalanga ethnic group and grew up in a religious and disciplined environment influenced by his father, a preacher. He attended missionary schools before studying social work at Adams College in South Africa. Later, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the Jan Hofmeyr School in Johannesburg, where he came into contact with African nationalist movements that shaped his political ideology.
In 1957, he rose to prominence as the president of the African National Congress (ANC) of Southern Rhodesia, a unifying platform for African nationalists opposing colonial rule and racial discrimination.
After the ANC was banned by colonial authorities in 1961, Nkomo founded the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU). As its leader, he championed majority rule and opposed the white minority regime led by Ian Smith. Although initially committed to peaceful negotiations, Nkomo later endorsed armed resistance when it became clear that the colonial government would not concede. ZAPU’s military wing, the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), received support from the Soviet Union and other socialist nations, operating primarily in western Zimbabwe against Rhodesian forces.
The nationalist movement eventually split due to ideological and ethnic tensions. In 1963, Robert Mugabe broke away from ZAPU to form the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). The military wings of both parties—ZIPRA and ZANLA—often operated independently and sometimes clashed, further complicating the liberation war. Despite these divisions and facing imprisonment, exile, and harassment, Nkomo remained a key figure known for his diplomatic efforts to unify nationalist factions.
Between 1983 and 1987, the government launched a brutal military campaign in Matabeleland—ZAPU’s base—under the pretext of quelling dissidents. Known as Gukurahundi, this operation led to the deaths of thousands of Ndebele civilians. Nkomo was accused of plotting a coup and fled the country, later returning to negotiate peace. In 1987, he signed the Unity Accord with Mugabe, leading to the merger of ZAPU and ZANU into the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). Nkomo was then appointed one of the country’s two Vice Presidents, a role he held until his death.
Joshua Nkomo died on July 1, 1999, after a long illness. He is remembered as “Father Zimbabwe,” a national hero who played a significant role in the liberation struggle and the shaping of modern Zimbabwe. Despite political rivalries and hardships, Nkomo’s legacy is one of resilience, reconciliation, and commitment to national unity. His autobiography, The Story of My Life, published in 1984, remains a powerful account of his journey and contributions.