admin
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu Bulawayo Bureau
PEOPLE with disabilities in Matabeleland South province have applauded national hero, Cde Joshua Teke Malinga, for spearheading their empowerment and recognition at all levels of society.
An outspoken special interest groups champion, Cde Malinga succumbed to prostate cancer at 79. At the time of his death, he was a Special Advisor to President Mnangagwa on disability issues, a role the President said he served with distinction.
In an interview, the chairperson of the Matabeleland South disability leadership committee, Mr Chance Ndlovu, said the late Cde Malinga was always in touch with people at the grassroots level as he rolled out development initiatives for people with disabilities.
“The death of Cde Malinga is a huge blow to the whole country and most importantly to us as the disabled community,” he said.
“We’ve lost a faithful and hard-working ambassador who will be hard to replace. There are a lot of initiatives that Cde Malinga came up with, which have benefited the people of Matabeleland South.
“He came to Gwanda in person and facilitated the formation of the disability leadership committee, which I’m chairing. This committee plays a crucial role in spearheading and advocating for the empowerment of people with disabilities. It’s a platform to raise concerns as well as to uplift people with disabilities,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He said Cde Malinga was a perfect example of how being disabled is not an inability as he has held posts in various sectors, where executed his duties well. He said the late national hero was a selfless leader whose main objective was to see people with disabilities being represented on all platforms.
Mr Ndlovu said Cde Malinga exuded great courage and boldness, which has helped to inspire many people with disabilities. He said the late Cde Malinga was a people-centred who deserved such a desirable national honour.
“Cde Malinga moved around various provinces including Matabeleland South and he even visited remote parts in order to capture the concerns of people with disabilities.
“We have seen that some leaders prefer to do their work from the offices but Cde Malinga was hands-on. Even in a fragile condition, he sacrificed to join us at the 11th National Disability Expo, which was held in June,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Nkomwa Foundation Trust director, Mr Pick Nkomwa, said the late Cde Malinga’s contribution to the development of the nation and to the disabled community is immeasurable.
“As a trust, we join the Malinga family and the entire nation in celebrating the life of Dr Joshua Teke Malinga. As persons with disabilities, we are grateful for his advice to the President because under the Second Republic Government has mainstreamed issues of disability and strongly promoted the inclusion of people with disabilities,” he said.
“We will continue the work he has started in our various institutions and provinces.”
Disability Rights Agenda for Transformation Matabeleland South board chairperson, Mr Davis Mwera, said a number of organisations representing people with disabilities have been established across provinces under the guidance of the late Cde Malinga. He said for many years people with disabilities were marginalised and constrained but the narrative has changed and many people were in support of the change.
Online Reporter