The Sunday News
FORMER Education, Sports, Arts and Culture minister, David Coltart has challenged the authorities to turn the late vice-president Joshua Nkomo’s house in Pelandaba into a tourist attraction ahead of the Africa Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games.
Coltart made the plea on Friday afternoon at White City Stadium when he was part of the tour of some of the venues that will be used during the Games scheduled to run from 5 to 14 December in the city.
Coltart, who was behind the move to bring the Games to Bulawayo, said the proximity of Father Zimbabwe’s house to White City will make it easier for some of the athletes and officials to visit the house, which has been turned into a museum.
“Umdala Nkomo’s house is close by and I believe if we market it to the athletes and officials it’s going to receive a lot of visitors, who will also get the chance to learn about the history of this country,” said Coltart.
He suggested that roads leading to the house should also be spruced up.
Coltart was taken on the tour by Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Andrew Langa who welcomed the suggestion and said it should be pursued.
The former Education Minister was also appointed to the Games’ marketing committee that is headed by Kennedy Ndebele.
During the tour, Langa expressed concern over the progress of renovations at White City saying they were lagging behind with the athletics track still to be laid while the netball courts were on course to be completed before the Games.
The minister, who revealed that the tour had been requested by President Mugabe, said he was satisfied with progress at Barbourfields and the City Swimming Pool adding the two facilities were almost ready with the final touches being done.
“This tour was necessitated by President Mugabe when we went for the official lighting ceremony of the Games’ torch at State House. He said I should invite Coltart to see and appreciate his efforts because it is him who convinced Cabinet to have the Games in Bulawayo,” said Langa, adding: “He (Coltart) received a lot of resistance from some members of Cabinet, but he kept on pushing until the President gave him support too.”
Langa said it was time for everyone to put aside their partisan politics and work together towards a better Zimbabwe.
Coltart said it was a national event that superseded political differences and that people should make a collective effort to ensure the Games’ success.
The Games will feature 11 countries from southern Africa including host country, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, the Seychelles, Swaziland and Zambia.
The countries will battle it out in athletics, judo, netball, football, tennis, swimming, basketball and boxing.
