Joshua Nkomo Trust Denies Receiving Chivayo’s US$250,000 Donation
The Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Trust has clarified that a recently announced US$250,000 donation by socialite Wicknell Chivayo was not made to their organisation.
In a statement issued on Thursday morning, the Trust’s chairman, Mehluli Moyo, said the donation was directed to a different entity, and not the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Trust. Said Moyo:
On behalf of the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Project Trust (JNLRPT), also known as the Joshua Nkomo Trust, I wish to clarify that we are not the recipients of the donation announced by Mr Chivayo. It is our understanding that the donation was directed to a different organisation.
Two non-profit organisations (NPOs) are dedicated to preserving the legacy of the late Joshua Nkomo — the Joshua Nkomo Trust and the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation, which is led by his firstborn daughter, Thandiwe Nkomo.
Moyo said while they appreciated Chivayo’s generous gesture, the clarification was necessary to avoid confusion among their partners and supporters. He said:
It may have been a genuine oversight, as there are two organisations honouring Dr Nkomo’s legacy. We are simply making this distinction so that our stakeholders are well informed. We also maintain cordial relations with the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation.
Chivayo announced the donation on his social media platforms on Wednesday, 2 July, a day after the nation commemorated 26 years since Joshua Nkomo’s passing. He wrote:
In recognition of his IMMENSE contribution to our LIBERATION STRUGGLE and his distinguished service post-independence, I wish to HUMBLY extend US$250,000 to the Joshua Nkomo Trust let by his first born daughter THANDI NKOMO as a small token of appreciation.
I will be most HONOURED by the acceptance of this gesture and invite the designated trustees of the Joshua Nkomo Trust together with her to collect the funds at their earliest CONVENIENCE.
I hope this small contribution will help support the Trust’s ongoing initiatives in education, cultural development and welfare initiatives, which reflect Comrade Nkomo’s vision and ASPIRATIONS for a better ZIMBABWE
May his dear Soul continue to Rest in Eternal Peace, and may his LEGACY continue to live on through generations to come.
Pindula
