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Family, friends, and colleagues lined the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton on Sunday for a final goodbye to the SA National Defence Force’s chief of logistics, Lieutenant-General Xolani Brian Ndlovu.
Ndlovu, who died on November 13 after a short illness, was 56.
The father of three hailed from New Brighton.
As the about 500 mourners took their seats at the hall, all eyes were drawn to the front where his coffin was draped with the vibrant colours of the SA flag.
One after the other, mourners shared fond memories of Ndlovu, who is survived by his wife, mother, father, two sons and daughter.
Amid the sea of mourners, the most poignant moment came when Ndlovu’s children approached the podium.
His daughter, Delapho, said she and her father had shared a strong bond.
“They say a daughter is the first love of a father. In my case, that was true,” she said.
“He taught me how to ride a two-wheel bike and made sure I was balanced and secure.
“That’s how I learnt to trust.”
SA National Defence Force chief General Rudzani Maphwanya said Ndlovu lived by his oath.
“He will forever live on in the life of our organisation,” Maphwanya said.
“He shall never be forgotten.
“In his name, we will never waver in our efforts to serve the republic and support its people.
“In his name, we will come together, in the spirit of serving the nation, to honour your loved one, as one family.
“His legacy will loom large in the pages of the department of defence and in the story of our country.
“He gave much to his work. May the fond memories of this fallen compatriot remain with us forever.”
According to the funeral pamphlet, Ndlovu had an impressive career that started in the early 1980s.
He left the country due to political reasons and joined the ANC and Umkhonto weSizwe in 1985 in Angola, where he took on the combat name Ramabatho (Ram) Moloi, also known as Young Guard/Rambo.
Throughout his career, Ndlovu served in various roles, including as a section commissar during the mobilisation phase in Kibashe.
He later became the first section commander of his platoon during the training phase.
He completed a platoon commanders course in Zambia in 1994 and integrated into the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).
In 2012, he became commandant of the SA Army College and later chief of Army Training Formation in 2015.
He received promotions, reaching the rank of major-general in 2021 and serving as deputy chief logistics head.
Throughout his career, Ndlovu completed various military courses and received numerous awards, commendations and medals for his outstanding service to the department of defence and the United Nations.
In January 2023, Ndlovu was appointed chief of logistics and served with honour and dignity until his death.
HeraldLIVE
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