Business mourns death of Ndlovu

THE death of former Black Management Forum (BMF) president and leading business executive Lot Ndlovu has been described as a huge loss to the business community.

Mr Ndlovu, who died on Thursday after a long fight with cancer, has been credited with being instrumen- tal in transforming the country’s business landscape. He was BMF president from 1995 to 1999 and CEO of Nedbank division People’s Bank during the same period.

Former BMF MD Nicholas Maweni said Mr Ndlovu made a great contribution to economic transformation and was “a very direct individual”, vocal and active in the forum. “He chaired the BMF investment board and we recently had called for a meeting of all BMF stalwarts, mostly presidents and deputies, and this was convened by Mr Ndlovu. “This is indeed a sad loss.” Massmart executive and former BMF MD Mncane Mthunzi said he and other business leaders viewed Mr Ndlovu as a thought leader and often sought advice from him. “Lot has been a mentor to the whole lot of us so he’s been mentoring and coaching and giving us guidance.

“He has been consistent is his support of black management. He was about deracialising the economy and made it possible for a black individual to be the CEO of People’s Bank long before it was even fashionable.”

Former BMF president and Progressive Professionals Forum leader Jimmy Manyi said on Friday that Mr Ndlovu had been a mentor to him and allowed professionals under him the space to learn.

Mr Ndlovu is survived by his wife, Zanele, five children and two grandchildren.