Nkayi long-serving civil servant retires

Mr Joshua Sibanda and his wife Mrs Siphenkosi Sibanda

Obey Sibanda, Online Reporter

After 40 years of dedicated service as an Environmental Health Officer (EHO), long-serving Nkayi District civil servant Mr Joshua Sibanda has retired.

A farewell party was held on Friday afternoon at the Nkayi Business Centre, attended by family, colleagues, health personnel from Nkayi District Hospital, officials from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and government representatives.

The 64-year-old Mr Sibanda began his career at Nkayi District Hospital in 1985 as a Health Assistant before being seconded to Zenka Clinic and Dakamela Clinic between 1988 and 1994.

In 1992, he was appointed Senior Health Assistant at Dakamela Clinic before returning to Nkayi District Hospital, where he served for more than three decades.

He was twice awarded Worker of the Year in 1995 and 1996, an accolade voted for by health employees at Nkayi District Hospital.

Mr Sibanda is recognized for his leading role in the fight against the Bubonic plague that affected Nkayi District and other parts of southern Zimbabwe in 1994.

In 2001, as part of the requirements for all Environmental Health Practitioners to upgrade their qualifications, he studied for a Diploma in Environmental Health at Bulawayo Polytechnic and earned a Higher Education Examinations Council (HEXCO) certificate in 2004.

In 2019, the veteran health services worker was appointed Environmental Health Officer at Nkayi District Hospital, a position he held until retirement.