Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
PEOPLE with disabilities (PWDs) in Matabeleland South province have applauded the late national hero, Cde Joshua 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. He was buried last Friday at the National Heroes Acre in Harare. At the time of his death, Cde Malinga 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 PWDs.
“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 have 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 PWDs. It’s a platform to raise concerns as well as to uplift PWDs,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He said Cde Malinga proved that disability is not an inability as he held a number of 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 PWDs being represented at various platforms.
Mr Ndlovu said Cde Malinga exuded great courage and boldness, which has helped to inspire many PWDs. He said the late Cde Malinga was a people-centered 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 PWDs. 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 Edition of the 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 PWDs,” he said. – @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo