THOUSANDS of people yesterday thronged the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds for the memorial service of veteran nationalist and national hero Vice President Landa John Nkomo who died early this year.

VP Nkomo, who was also the co-minister for the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, succumbed to cancer at the age of 79 at St Annes’ Hospital in Harare on January 17.

The memorial service coincided with the late VP Nkomo’s first born twins, Jabulani and Mzamo Nkomo’s 50th birthday and Mothers Day. The family organised the occasion, which was held at Hall Number 4 and speakers showered praises on Gogo Macinjwa Dube and Mrs Georgina Nkomo as special mothers.

People from all walks of life, VP Nkomo’s home area Tsholotsho, the whole of the Matabeleland region and countrywide filled the hall which had eye catching decor to cap the ornamented life the late VP lived.

Landa John Nkomo High School choir from Manqe in Tsholotsho spiced up the almost five-hour occasion with music in tribute to the man who is the brains behind the ultra-modern computer room at the school.

VP Nkomo was born and educated in the Manqe area.