Writing in his face book page business mogul and leading philanthropist finally spoke out about his past experiences with the government of Zimbabwe. In a moving article that attracted thousands of comments and likes in a space short space of time, Masiyiwa credited Dr Joshua Nkomo for his integrity and leadership during that period in his life.Here are his words!
The Meeting with Joshua Nkomo (Part 14).
Joshua Nkomo is one of the fathers of African nationalism, and stands alongside Africa's greatest fighters against colonialism, and injustice. He is right up there with the greatest of them.
He was... the epitome of courage.
Although he was now in his eighties, he had still kept much of the huge frame, which was one of his distinguishing features. He also had a quick temper:
Even as I entered his office, in the central government offices, he shouted loudly at me:
"What are all these bad things I hear being said about you, young man?"
I stood there, frozen, at first. Then he gestured to me, with his walking stick, and pointed at the door; telling me to shut it, behind me. I then sat down on a chair in front of his desk.
"Baba", I said in a quiet voice, "you do not believe that, do you?"
He stared at me, for a few moments, then he shook his head, slowly, "No, I don't. But let me hear your side of the story."
He listened quietly, and intently, occasionally asking sharp questions. It was clear that he had been well briefed about it. I also realised that the shouting had been for people outside the room to hear, as there were always large numbers of people, in his reception. He was a very shrewd man.
I shared with him, pretty much, all that you all know now, including my deep faith and trust in God. I even shared with him some of my testimonies. He wanted to know everything.
Finally, he rose up, and asked me to stay where I was sitting. Initially, I thought he had gone to the bathroom, but he was gone for what seemed like an hour. I just sat there, and prayed. When he returned, he slumped himself in his chair, and began muttering audibly to himself. I heard everything that he said. He looked deeply concerned, and shook his head, several times.
After a few minutes, he asked me to walk out the office with him. We walked out slowly, together, into the bright African sunlight.
He insisted that I walk by his side.
He wanted people to see me, walking with him, and I escorted him along the corridors to his waiting car. Several people, seeing me, walking with him, came nervously out of their offices, and also shook my hand, or patted my back. Others just stared.
On a number of occasions he said loudly, to people who came up to greet us, "this one is not a sell out. He is true son of Zimbabwe."
People loved him.
The persecution against me, ended that day.
Masiyiwa later established a Joshua Nkomo's scholarship
The History of Joshua Nkomo Memorial Scholarships.
Joshua Nkomo died on July 1, 1999.
My wife and I consulted extensively with his family, and close associates such as Joseph Msika, John Nkomo and Simon Khaya Moyo, on our plan to launch a memorial scholarship in his name.
The Joshua Nkomo Scholarship Trust has now been going since 2005..
It selects the 100 top students (10 from each province) in Zimbabwe's national exams, irrespective of race or religion, every single year.
50% must be girls.
To date it has provided funding to 871 students. It has produced some of the finest scholars in the world, many of whom have achieved degrees and even doctorates, at the leading universities of the world. A few years ago, Gordon Brown the then British Prime Minister, recognized a young Zimbabwean, brain surgeon who had just completed his degree at Oxford.
There are currently 54 students at top American students, who started as "Joshualites".
The Joshua Nkomo Memorial Scholarship, is not the same as our Capernaum Trust Scholaship program, for orphans, and children of Pastors, and widows. The CT program, started in 1990, and currently supports over 42,000 students from several African countries. There are currently over 300 students in America, that came from Joshua Nkomo, and Capernaum a Trust combined.
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