Joshua Nkomo

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Nkomo, Joshua


Born 1917. Figure in the national liberation movement in Southern Rhodesia.

The son of a peasant, Nkomo studied in Southern Rhodesia and later in the Union of South Africa. Taking correspondence courses, he received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of South Africa at Pretoria. In 1947 he became an employee of Rhodesian Railways. In 1951 he was elected general secretary of the Rhodesian Railways African Employees’ Association.

At the beginning of the 1950’s, Nkomo headed the national liberation movement in Southern Rhodesia. Since 1957 he has been the president of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU). Between 1963 and 1974, after ZAPU was outlawed, Nkomo was under arrest. Since September 1975 he has been president of the African National Council. [18–105–1; updated]

References in periodicals archive ?
Nearly $13 million is the requirement for completing upgrades at the Joshua Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo.
Nicknamed "Crocodile" for his ability to inflict terrible injuries, it is claimed he played a major role in slaughtering 20,000 supporters of Mugabe rival Joshua Nkomo in the 1980s.
As planned, Robert Mugabe and his two Vice-Presidents Joshua Nkomo and Simon Muzenda, were re-elected to their party posts unopposed.
They cite the case of the vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo, who is reported to be the richest landowner in the country.
Fortunately, the proposal that South Africa and Nigeria are pushing -- that Zanu-PF should work with Tsvangirai and the MDC -- is no different from the one Mugabe himself adopted in his dealings with the late ZAPU leader, Joshua Nkomo.
That was the bone of departure between me and Joshua Nkomo.
But George, why no tantrums over the 862,000 acre Nuanetsi Ranch which Joshua Nkomo 'acquired'?
A statement issued in Lusaka last night by the 'patriotic front' of Mr Joshua Nkomo and Mr Robert Mugabe rejected major provisions of the package, including the proposed retention of some elements of the Rhodesian security forces during the transition to black majority rule.
It was during the height of the Rhodesian War between Ian Smith's white-officered Rhodesian Army and African freedom fighters led by Joshua Nkomo and Roberr Mugabe.
It was very clear who was going to succeed Joshua Nkomo because the number two on the former ZAPU side was bound to step into the shoes of Joshua Nkomo as first vice president.
The guerrillas, known as the Patriotic Front, were led by Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe.
Also included are extensive correspondence files that record Scheinman's long-standing interest in Africa, as seen in letters to and from African political and cultural leaders such as Kenyan president Daniel Arap Moi, Zimbabwean independence leader Joshua Nkomo, longtime Zambia president Kenneth Kaunda, and Malawian independence leaders Henry Chipembere and M.