Presidential advisor declared National Hero

ZTN Prime Correspondent

Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party has conferred National Hero status on nationalist and presidential advisor Joshua Malinga.

Malinga (79) died on September 8 after battling prostate cancer.

In a statement on Sunday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said, “In recognition of his distinguished role in the struggle for our Independence, in the development of our Nation since its inception, and in championing the cause of special interest groups in public policy and national development, the ruling Zanu PF Party has unanimously decided to accord Cde Malinga National Hero Status.

“…May I, on behalf of our Nation, the ruling Zanu PF Party, Government, my Family and on my behalf, express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Malinga Family on this their saddest loss.

“May they derive solace from the knowledge that the Nation in whose defence and interest Cde Malinga was put under illegal sanctions, today joins them in mourning his sad, untimely demise, and in according him deserved honours and a befitting farewell.”

An accounting graduate, Malinga turned to nationalist politics in his youthful years.

He later served in the Zanu-PF Central Committee and Politburo

Malinga was also Executive Mayor of Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo, on two occasions.

Further, he became a strong advocate of disability rights – having been crippled by a bout of polio at the age of two years.

President Mnangagwa described him as virtuous and diligent.

The President said: “A Nationalist stalwart and vocal proponent of disability rights, the late Cde Malinga was a leading voice both in the ruling Party, Zanu PF, and in Government on disability issues, including ensuring, in his capacity as my special advisor, that Government policy was alive and sensitive to interests of disabled persons across gender, age, class or colour.

“My decision to appoint him to advise me on this all-important yet often easily overlooked area was informed by his unequivocal and fervent interest in protecting and defending the rights of disabled persons.”