Change Brooke Road to Malinga Road, Bulawayo City Council urged

Nqobile Tshili, online writer

Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Elifasi Mashaba has urged the Bulawayo City Council to consider renaming Brooke Road to Malinga Road.

The road passes the late national Hero’s residence in Richmond.

Malinga succumbed to prostate cancer last Friday at 79.

He was a special advisor to the President, former Mayor of the City of Bulawayo, and Zanu-PF Politburo member.

Malinga was born on 20 April 1944 in Filabusi. He was born able-bodied and was attacked by Polio at a very young age.

Cde Mashaba, during Malinga’s funeral service at the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo today on Thursday, reminisced how he was astounded by the late national hero’s capabilities that defied his disability.

“I first met Cde Malinga in the 90s. I did not understand how Malinga drove a car despite being disabled. He was the first man to make the country understand disability issues. He fought for science subjects to be incorporated into schools in Bulawayo,” said Cde Mashaba.

He wondered at Malinga’s energetic drive that saw him represent 36 organisations nationally and regionally.

Cde Mashaba said it was not a wonder that the Zanu PF politburo took a short time to declare Malinga a national hero as everyone understood his role.

“He is a man who dedicated his life to service of this world. He championed the role of black empowerment. Council should change Brooke Road to Malinga Road, the road passes through Malinga’s residence in Richmond,” said Cde Mashaba.