Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has mourned national hero Dr Joshua Malinga, describing him as an illustrious servant of the city and a disability rights champion.
Dr Malinga, who served as a Special Advisor to President Mnangagwa on disability issues and was a Zanu PF politburo member died on Friday after battling with prostate cancer.
He was 79.
Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said Dr Malinga served in different capacities during his tenure in council for the development of the city.
“The City of Bulawayo joins the Malinga family, Bulawayo and the Nation as a whole in mourning the passing on of the former Mayor, Joshua Teke Malinga on Saturday, 9th September 2023,” said Mr Dube.
“He was an active member of numerous organisations nationally and internationally and played a key role in championing the rights of persons with disability in the city and nation as a whole.
The City of Bulawayo mourns his untimely death and our greatest sympathy goes to the Malinga family, friends and colleagues.”
Hon Malinga was elected into office as a Councillor for Ward 2 in 1987. He served as Councillor for the (1987-1991); (1991-1993): (1993-1995) Municipal years. He was elected as Deputy Mayor for the 1992/1993 Municipal year and installed on the 19th August 1992. He served as the Mayor of the City of Bulawayo in the 1993/1994 and 1994/1995 Municipal Years,” said Mr Dube.
“During his term of office, he served in numerous Council Committees which included the Health, Housing, Amenities and Liquor Committee, the General Purposes Committee, Town Lands and Planning Committee and the Finance committee among others.”
He said Dr Malinga also represented the City of Bulawayo in various outside bodies and committees including the Local Authorities Pension Fund Management Committee (1991/1992), Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe Executive Committee (1992/1993, 1994/1995), Matabeleland North Provincial Council (1992/1993, 1994/1995); Municipality of Bulawayo Medical Aid Society Management Committee (1992/1993).
Mr Dube said Dr Malinga was also part of Bulawayo 100 years Celebrations Committee (1993/1994); Bulawayo Round Table No.3 (1993/1994, 1994/ 1995); National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe (1993/1994); Bulawayo Municipal Provident Fund Management Committee (1993/1994); Employment Council (1993/1994, 1994/1995); and the Esigodini Ncema Conservation (1993/1994, 1994/1995).
-@nqotshili
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