President Mnangagwa urges public to prioritise service

Harare (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday urged Zimbabweans, particularly the youth, to emulate the selfless dedication to public service, and determination to succeed, exhibited by the late national hero, and special advisor to the President on disability, Joshua Teke Malinga.

He was speaking at the late Malinga’s burial at Heroes Acre in Harare.

He succumbed to prostate cancer, aged 79.

Addressing thousands of mourners at the National Heroes Acre, President Mnangagwa said among the lifetime achievements of the late Malinga were his fervent desire to protect and defend the rights of persons with disabilities, locally and globally, and actively taking part in the country’s various struggles for independence despite being a polio victim from the young age of two.

“For him, disability spurred an exceptional life and career, I urge us as a nation to take a leaf from the illustrious life of the late Cde Malinga. He was a leading voice in both the ruling Party, ZANU PF, and in Government on disability issues, inclusivity and broad-based empowerment,” he said.

“Cde Malinga was instrumental in making sure that both the policies of the revolutionary Party and Government were alive and sensitive to the interests of persons with disabilities, irrespective of gender, age, race and social position,” he added.

President Mnangagwa said the late Malinga provided ample testimony of the fact that disability need not diminish one’s ability and life chances, and urged persons with disabilities in particular, and the nation at large, to never allow themselves to be objects of charity and sympathy.

“We are all “differentially abled”. Let us, therefore, rally our energy, skills, capabilities and competencies to build, modernise and industrialise Zimbabwe. On its part, my government will continue to ensure the accelerated implementation of our National Disability Policy,” President Mnangagwa said.

“Under the Second Republic, all persons of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, have a role to play in developing, modernising and industrialising our country. Fellow Mourners: Let us stand firm and remain vigilant against those who want to distract us from our national development efforts,” he said.

He said the nation will forever cherish the role Malinga played in the struggle for Independence, and towards the development of the country by championing the cause of special interest groups in public policy and inclusive national development.

“Despite becoming a victim of polio at the tender age of two, he went on to lead an illustrious career during the liberation struggle and after our country’s Independence in 1980. He was never deterred by his circumstances.”

“The life of the late National Hero, Cde Joshua Malinga, personifies selflessness, sacrifice and putting one’s country ahead of all else. Despite the disability that befell him in his childhood, he joined the Jairos Jiri Association at the tender age of 13,” President Mnangagwa said.

He said Malinga’s commitment was visible as, despite being unwell for some time, he was always available to serve his constituency and the country as a whole.

“He was always committed to participating in both Party and Government programmes. At the international level, our late National Hero championed the cause of persons with disabilities and the disadvantaged. He travelled extensively around the world to engage in debates, conferences, symposia and workshops. Similarly, he mobilised resources for advancing the protection of the environment, progressive political, social and developmental issues, particularly in relation to persons with disability,” he said.

Besides politics, Malinga also had a long civic career, at one time serving as deputy mayor and later mayor of Bulawayo.

Malinga, who was also academically gifted, was a graduate with degrees in Accounting, as well as Disability, Psychology and Development Studies.

Malinga is survived by his wife and 10 children.

New Ziana