BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula has honoured deceased Civil Servant Simon Kunene for having done a sterling job in helping Emaswati in winning the fight against Malaria.
The minister recognised Kunene over the past weekend during the ceremony at Siteki Hotel where the SADC Elimination 8 Secretariat was presenting the Simon Kunene Subnational Elimination Award 2024 worth USD$10 000 (about E120 000) to the Matsenjeni North Inkhundla.
Minister Matsebula further honoured health workers at clinics operating in communities under Matsenjeni North for contributing to the constituency’s now recognised great work. Kunene’s exploits in the fight against malaria did not go unnoticed regionally, hence he was recognised for his input with the Elimination 8 award being named after him.
Matsebula said the event was significant because the Simon Kunene award was named after one of the country’s exceptional officer, who was also a citizen of this country and an employee in my Ministry under the National Malaria Program. The minister said what was also a coincidence was that Kunene started his civil service carrier in Siteki and used to buy his soft drink in Siteki Hotel as well.
“Although this officer is now deceased, his legacy will continue for a long time. May we clap hands for the huge contribution by Mr. Simon Kunene to the malaria response in the country, Africa Region and the world at large,” Matsebula said.
Matsebula further thanked the staff of the three public facilities in Matsanjeni North Inkhundla, namely; Tikhuba Clinic, Ebenezer Clinic and Mambane Clinic for all the hard work. He said without the dedication from the nurses, these successes would not have been achieved in this Inkhundla. Matsebula mentioned that despite the challenges that they continued to face as a Ministry, the health practitioners had not been deterred from servicing the people in their communities and ensuring that they received the best possible health care in your facilities.
The minister also took the opportunity to thank SADC E8 for having named this award after the country’s very own citizen. “Today we have in the history of malaria, an award named after a legendary from this tiny Kingdom. I hope more and more other legends will come from this country, not only in malaria but other disease programs as well.” Matsebula said.
