Tributes flow after death of defence attaché Gogi in Belgium
Strict, loving, goal-orientated and stern were among the words that best described Rear Admiral Nomonde Gogi, who died in Belgium on April 15 while serving as SA’S defence attaché in that country. She was 56.
On April 29 her coffin was received at Waterkloof Air Force Base, where a military ceremony was held, and moved to Thaba Tshwane City Hall for a memorial service.
Paying tribute, Rear Admiral Mfanelo Bongco offered his condolences to Gogi’s family, friends and colleagues.
Bongco said she had been an approachable leader and had created a pleasant working environment.
“It was a privilege to work with her. May her soul rest in peace.”
Speaking at the memorial service, the deputy chief of the SA Navy, Rear Admiral Bubele Mhlana, said: “Her death came as a shock.
“Her passing is a huge loss to the SANDF and the SA Navy in particular.
“She was a good and loving person. Her voice had a great effect in the navy.”
The chief of staff, Lt-gen Michael Ramatshwana, said: “The SANDF has lost an asset, a dedicated and selfless person.
“She represented us well as the SA Navy representative in Belgium as the defence attaché.”
Gogi started her education at Sibane Primary School, and in 1985 joined umkhonto we Sizwe, the ANC’S liberation movement.
In 1990, she matriculated from Nyameko High
School in Mdantsane.
She then enrolled in the African Theatre Project and, in 1993, registered for a performer’s diploma in speech and drama, graduating in 1995.
In 1996, Gogi registered at the University of Cape Town to complete her BA degree.
The next year she was integrated into the SA National Defence Force, training at the SA Naval College in 1998.
As a lieutenant, she was appointed as the navy’s internal communications officer based at Defence Headquarters in Pretoria in 2000, and was promoted to Lt-commander in 2002.
She was made commander in 2004 and served as Staff Officer 1 Affirmative Action in the Chief Directorate Equal Opportunities in Pretoria.
In 2009,she was promoted to captain and served as acting director of naval transformation, from January to September of the same year, after which she was promoted and appointed as director of naval transformation, at the end of 2009.
In 2013, she was appointed director of maritime intelligence, a position she held until late in 2021, when she was appointed defence attaché to Belgium.
Gogi received several military awards, which included Unitas, 10 years good service medal, good service medal for operations service rendered within the borders of SA and 30 years good service medal.
Her daughter, Nangamso Kunene, described her as a leader and the person who held the family together.
“She was an inspiration to us as a family and the community at large,” she said.
“She was loved by many, young and old.
“She was passionate about her work, serving the ministry of defence with honour and pride.
“She was a strong, resilient woman who kept on pushing forward no matter what life threw at her.
“My mother taught us respect, humility, the spirit of never giving up in life and to always follow our dreams.
“She enjoyed shopping, dancing to her favourite music, reading and being surrounded by family.”
Kunene said her mother had been dedicated to giving back to the community, and had been involved in projects directed at schools catering for underprivileged communities.
Gogi is survived by her children, Kunene, Abongile Gumede and Biko Gumede, her son-in-law, grandchildren and siblings Nomvuyo Luwaca and Dunyiswa Shosha.
Gogi will be laid to rest on May 4 in Mdantsane.