The Sunday Mail
Rayban Sengwayo “The African Gypsy”
In 1835 the first American Board Missionaries arrived in South Africa and built a station at Amanzimtoti.
Adams College, then known as Amanzimtoti Institute was established in 1853 by Dr Newton Adams. It constituted of a number of institutions, a high school, a teacher training college and industrial school.
It was the first African School to introduce co-education, to teach mathematics and science to Africans, to provide matriculation and post-matriculation courses and to give responsible posts to Africans.
It aimed at promoting a type of education based on European curriculum and modes. It also aimed at giving its students opportunities for advancement.
“The reward you will see yearly is trained men and women from Adams College going out into the world equipped to take their place firstly as good citizens then as ministers, university students, clerks, builders and cabinet makers.”
This was Edgar Brookes, a principal at Adams College between 1934-1945.
I must acknowledge the role Adams College played in preparing some of our great leaders, both past and present.
To mention a few, Advocate Hebert Chitepo, Professor Stanlake Samkange, Thomas Titus Nkubi (Treasurer-General ANC and first Zimbabwean MP in South Africa), Gatha Mangosutho Buthelezi, Victoria Mahamba-Sithole (Chitepo), Seretse Khama and Justice Lovemore Mutambanengwe (Chief Justice in Namibia).
These are a few of the students that later went on to become great leaders.
It is important to emphasise the journey and decision Joshua Nkomo made before going to South Africa.
In saving for college, he had discussions with his brother Paul who studied with him at Tjotsholo Industrial School.
He was convinced he wanted to go to South Africa and travel to Durban.
Paul, who had left school by then, taught Joshua how to drive. It was first carpentry and then driving that helped him during his stay in Durban.
His mother MaHadebe took her last savings, blessed him, and he jumped onto the train to Johannesburg, connected to Natal and then got a bus to Amanzimtoti.
The rest is history.
Adams College unknowingly prepared one of the greatest nationalists Africa has ever produced.
Father Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe we affectionately call him “Father Zimbabwe”. To be correct, the title was actually “King of Zimbabwe”.
I will fast-forward.
Joshua Nkomo as president of Zapu travelled to Europe to address the United Nations. He was to present a plea and seek support from member states against policies initiated against the majority and nationalist leadership in Zimbabwe.
He got a hostile response from the British and Americans although the BBC gave him great coverage.
He stated that 57 out of 102 nations had supported his call. In his presentation he was accompanied by Washington Mahanga.
They spent three months canvassing support.
On his return he was awaited by over 20 000 people at a Press conference with Cde RG Mugabe, who was the Publicity Secretary.
He said to his followers: “We have come to the crux of our struggle and the party must adhere to strict discipline. From now on, no individual must act on his own but directives shall come from the head office. This does not mean you should sit back and wait for the United Nations to do everything for you.
“Africans are by nature not racist. We are not against any person coming into the country. We are against oppression of men by men”.
At Salisbury Airport, Joshua Nkomo was presented to his executive members, then later introduced to the branch chair.
After passing through immigration, he was carried shoulder high by his lieutenants. The people outside sat down, crossed their legs and clapped their hands. It was the symbolic welcome according to a great warrior or African Chief.
Before his arrival the Salisbury District Council of Zapu had worked feverishly to organise the reception.
An agreement had also been reached with the police and Zapu officials that there would be no skirmishes. Buses were hired to take members to the airport and back to Highfields.
Dr Nkomo drove to Dr Samuel Parirenyatwa’s house in a convertible flanked by the host and Cde Mugabe for lunch.
From there he went to Gwanzura Stadium and was welcomed by over 20 000 people.
He entered the stadium flanked by Chief Mangwende (he had been de-crowned by the Rhodesians) and followed by the Zapu executive.
He was received by Dr Edward Pswarayi (Zimbabwe’s second black medical doctor). Nyamasoka Chinhamora, uncle to Chief Chinhamora, 90-years-old at that time, was invited.
Kneeling before him, Joshua Nkoma — who was surrounded by Cdes Mugabe, Moses Gumbo (photographer), Leopold Takawira, Herbert Chitepo, Samuel Munodawafa and Parirenyatwa — waited to receive his tokens.
Before an excited and chanting crowd, Mzee Chirihamora said: “Son of the Soil, take this battle axe and the knobkerrie. By presenting these weapons, I have bestowed on you supreme leadership.”
There was ululation, traditional dancers, “Jerusarema” dancers and a “guard of honour” mounted by children.
With drums playing, he was presented with an ornamental spear and then a crown placed on his head by Dr Pswarayi, with Cde Takawira close by. (Dr Parirenyatwa died two weeks after this ceremony in a car accident.)
The stadium went wild.
Dr Joshua Nkomo had been crowned Father Zimbabwe or King of Zimbabwe. This was in October 1962.
To Be Continued next week
