Nkayi honours veteran health officer

FOR four decades, Mr Joshua Sibanda dedicated his life to safeguarding public health in Nkayi District by ensuring that every butchery, restaurant, school, workplace or entertainment centre met the required hygiene and safety standards.

Last Friday, the Nkayi community came together to celebrate the retirement of the veteran environmental health officer (EHO), whose career shaped the district’s health landscape and inspired generations of young health practitioners.

Mr Sibanda’s journey began in 1985 when he joined Nkayi District Hospital as a health assistant. He later worked at Zenka and Dakamela clinics before returning to Nkayi District Hospital, where he served the community for more than 30 years. In 2019, he was appointed environmental health officer, a position he held until retirement.

Speaking at the farewell party attended by family, colleagues, Government officials and NGOs, Mr Sibanda expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed on him.

“My journey as an environmental health worker started in the early 80s, and throughout the years, I rose through the ranks and superintended over a team of health technicians who became my family,” he said.

“My heart is filled with joy as I stand in front of my colleagues, both juniors and superiors, who saw it befitting to celebrate my retirement with a huge party.”

Fondly known as inkokheli and “JJ” by colleagues, Mr Sibanda earned a reputation for integrity, humility and an unwavering commitment to public health.

He twice won the Worker of the Year award at Nkayi District Hospital in 1995 and 1996 and played a leading role in fighting the Bubonic plague that hit the district and surrounding areas in the mid-1990s. Bubonic is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is spread through flea bites on rats or other animals and is characterised by swollen, painful lymph nodes called buboes, along with flu-like symptoms like fever and headaches.

In pursuit of professional growth, Mr Sibanda upgraded his qualifications with a Diploma in Environmental Health from Bulawayo Polytechnic in 2001 and later attained a Higher Education Examinations Council (HEXCO) certificate in meat inspection in 2004.

Family members also paid tribute to the man behind the professional accolades. His wife, Mrs Siphenkosi Sibanda, described him as a devoted father and husband.

“Most of you here knew him as Mr Sibanda, but at home we call him SaTerry, a loving father and husband. His work often kept him away from home, but retirement will give us more time together as a family,” she said.

Matabeleland North provincial environment officer, Mr Sibusiso Ncube, said Mr Sibanda’s contributions went beyond Nkayi.

“My colleague, Mr Sibanda, joined the Ministry of Health as a student health assistant at Domboshava Training Centre, which was the only training school at that time for health assistants in 1982.

“He was instrumental in containing the Bubonic plague that ravaged Nkayi District in 1995. His service has left an indelible mark on the environmental health fraternity,” he said.

The celebration at Nkayi Business Centre was attended by scores of family, friends and colleagues who described him as both a mentor and a father figure.
To his grandchildren, however, he is simply a loving grandfather whose presence brings joy and laughter at home.