Bulawayo city council pays tribute to Malinga

Bulawayo (New Ziana) – The newly elected mayor of Bulawayo David Coltart has paid tribute to the late national hero and former mayor, Joshua Malinga, describing him as a selfless man who served the city effectively during his tenure.

Malinga, who was Special adviser to the President on disability, died at his Richmond home in Bulawayo last Friday and was declared a national hero.

He served as executive mayor of Bulawayo for two terms in the 90s.

Malinga succumbed to prostate cancer, aged 79.

A victim of polio at a tender age of two, the late national hero`s illustrious life and career bore testimony to the fact that circumstances of disability need not diminish one`s ability and life chances.

“My fellow councillors, I am delighted that you have been able to join us today. This is a happy occasion for us but in one respect it’s a sad occasion and I would like you all to join me by standing and observing a minute of silence for the late Joshua Malinga who died this past week,” Coltart said.

“He was a close friend of mine even though we were in different political parties but he served the city effectively for two terms as mayor. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

The city`s town clerk, Christopher Dube said the late Malinga was an active member of numerous organisations nationally and internationally who played a key role in championing the rights of persons with disability in the city and the nation as whole.

“The city of Bulawayo mourns his untimely death and our greatest sympathy goes to the Malinga family, friends and colleagues,” said the town clerk.

Malinga was elected into office as a councillor for ward 2 in 1987. He served as councillor for the period 1987-1991 and 1993-1995.

He was elected deputy mayor for the 1992/1993 municipal year, and served as the mayor of the city in the 1993/1994 and 1994/1995 municipal years.

During his term of office, he served in numerous council committees which included the Health, Housing, Amenities and Liquor Committee, the General Purposes Committee, Town Lands and Planning Committee and the Finance Committee among others.

An accounting graduate, Malinga rose through the ranks of the country`s nationalist politics until he was elevated to the Zanu PF Central Committee and, later Politburo of the ruling party, which he served until his death.

New Ziana