Chronicle Editor
A political activist, civic leader and outspoken parliamentarian, Cde Sidney Donald Malunga died in Bulawayo on August 28, 1994, in a car accident.
He was buried at the national shrine on September 3.
Born on February 19, 1940, Cde Malunga attended his primary education in Filabusi before going to Empandeni Mission where he did his secondary education and later teacher’s training course.
It was while at Empandeni that he was exposed to politics by the late George Silundika who used to take him to the library and give him political books to read.
Cde Malunga became active in civic affairs in 1963 when he was a teacher at a community school in Mpopoma.
He was a founder member of the Mpopoma Lease Holders Association and was very instrumental in the formation of the Bulawayo Residents Association (Bura).
He was also the General Secretary of the National African Federation of Unions.
From 1964 to 1966, Cde Malunga was the Secretary for Nketa branch of Zapu as well as the Peoples Caretaker Council (PCC).
He was involved in the formation of the African National Congress (ANC), where he was elected Deputy National Organising Secretary.
During the Pearce Commission in 1971-1972, he campaigned vigorously against the commission’s settlement proposals.
During that period he was arrested and detained with others at Wha Wha, Kwekwe and Connemara Prisons.
He was released from prison just in time to attend the Lancaster House talks, which ushered independence in 1980.
After independence, Cde Malunga became one of the five Deputy National Organising Secretaries and in 1984 he was elected member of the Central Committee.
In 1985 he was elected Member of Parliament for Mpopoma constituency. After the National Unity Accord between Zanu (PF) and PF Zapu in 1987, the electorate of the merged parties elected him to the new Zanu (PF) Central Committee.
Cde Malunga distinguished himself as a parliamentarian reflecting his concern for all people irrespective of race or status.
As Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, and a committee member on several select committees of Parliament, he queried expenditure and financial indiscipline of Government ministries.
He kept the Parliament alive with his constructive criticism of Government Acts and by-laws. He was particularly opposed to corruption and irregular administrative practices.
At the time of his death he was Member of Parliament for Makokoba Constituency in Bulawayo and Director of Radar Management Systems at Radar Group of Companies.
Many would remember him as an able debater and spokesman who fought for many issues affecting the people in all walks of life.
He sourced hospital equipment from outside the country and worked closely with the community and the health management Institution.
He worked tirelessly with the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Trust as Vice Chairman in an effort to harness water from Zambezi River to Matabeleland where water levels are very low.
At the time of his death, he was survived by a wife and 15 children.
Taken from A Guide to the Heroes Acre.
Online Reporter