Resident message in Dr Joshua Nkomo statue

Its context includes the Post Office Building, the Barclays Bank Building, the Stanbic Bank Building and Dolores. In addition, there are lamp posts at the centre of the two intersecting roads. The lofty Stanbic Bank structure has a diminishing effect, and to a lesser extent, the Barclays Bank Building and the Post Office structure do the same.

When the pedestal was low, the diminishing effect on the statue was enhanced. What, in the final analysis, was being diminished was not the statue per se, but the representations, symbols and images beyond the physical attributes of the status. Dr Nkomo was being diminished in stature, so were the intangibles such as political social, cultural and economic values that he represents and epitomises.

Characteristics or attributes of the physical and the material are representative, expressive and symbolic of ideas and values embedded in them. It is all about expressions of materiality. Ideas and values that are linked to metal or stone acquire the characteristics of the material in which they are resident.

Life and ideas in stone/metal acquire eternity and permanence. Stone is associated with the dead, while in terms of African Thought, it is associated more with the living dead, the ancestral spirits whose roles are associated with perpetuation and preservation of progeny.

A statue does not sway to the wind. Rather, it is steadfast, an all weather sculptural rendition. Besides, a statue stands erect rather than lying prostate on the ground or on a pedestal even. Something erect stands out for all to see and admire, shining the way for all to see and be guided and follow in the footprints of iconic figures such as Dr Nkomo. Beacons of light shine the way, giving eternal guidance and direction to those who come after iconic figures so that they do not lose direction but keep in the small and straight paths cleared by the likes of Dr Joshua Nkomo.

Next time you walk past Dr Nkomo’s statue,