PUBLIC SERVICE IS A RELAY RACE – ALI SIMWINGA

By ROGERS KALERO

FORMER Kitwe Town Clerk and Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Vice-Chairperson Ali Simwinga has likened the Public Service to a relay race where one has to pass on the button to others after serving in various capacities or positions.

Mr Simwinga, who also served as a diplomat before his brief stay at ECZ where he served as Vice-Chairperson, said the Public Service was a privileged service and that he had been privileged to be part of it.

He was speaking during a ceremony organised by Kitwe City Council (KCC) workers to celebrate his retirement from the public service and his return to the city where he served as Town Clerk for 19 years.

He said he was humbled by the gesture from the KCC workers, noting that the ceremony was refreshing old memories associated with the local authority and the city in general. 

“I am grateful to all of you, for this honour. This is a huge, pleasant, surprise and an honour. It is like retiring afresh from the council after 15 years.

Work mates, the proud Ali Academy should take no little credit for what we achieved together.

The Public Service is a privileged service, and I have been privileged to be part of it. It is like a Relay Race and am happy that I passed on the Button to others,” Mr Simwinga said.

Mr Simwinga also said he was grateful to have worked with staff which was loyal to the institution for a solid 19 years service under a motto, ‘Let Us Build Us a City.

“I kept praying that we served our city well and to the satisfaction of all our stakeholders including the difficult ones like the United Transport and Taxis Association (UTTA), the Zambia National Marketeers Association (ZANAMA) and others.

“I still vividly recall the late Bennie Mwiinga, then as Minister of Local Government and Housing describing Kitwe City Council as the best managed Council in the SADC region,’’ he said

And speaking on behalf of KCC workers, Jane Chongo, a KCC worker living with disabilities said Mr Simwinga was not only a leader of institutions that he led, but also a father who accommodates the poor, the neglected, including persons with disabilities like herself

Ms Chongo said Mr Simwinga had over the years demonstrated that he is a man of all the people, saying when he was Town Clerk, he assisted and helped a lot of poor and marginalised people

“When I joined KCC, I received a lot of support and encouragement from Mr Simwinga who ensured that the working environment was conducive for me to carry on with my work effectively despite my disability.

“The employment I have today and all the other benefits that comes with the work I do, could not have happened without the help of Mr Simwinga.

Let me take this opportunity to personally, and on behalf of the marginalised people, thank you and appreciate you sir for the work you have done and continue to do for the community,’’ Ms Chongo said.

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