Lot Ndlovu was a mentor and role model: iLIVE

I remember so clearly the first time I saw Lot Ndlovu.

It was 1996 and he appeared in the news speaking so eloquently with mastered oratory, powerful academic English baptized into socio-political issues.

My father who was sitting right next to me then said "I know this boy". I vowed there and then that I will one day speak like Bra Lot Ndlovu.

In 1997 I looked for him and found his office at Nedcor where he was one of the Group Executives.

I spoke to his PA on the phone and his schedule was so tight that he only could see me at his home on a Sunday.

When I finally made it to his home on a Sunday morning I will never forget. We sat on the front porch of his house eating fruits that his lovely wife Mam'Ndlovu had served.

To my surprise, she knew me, my mother and my father and because I met Lot, I sat on March 3, 2001 in the Black Economic Forum. Because I met Lot I sat on the second row at the Sandton Convention Center next to him while Nelson Mandela was introducing Bill Clinton.

Because I met Lot, I had a mentor, a Father, a friend and a role model. He was a very busy man but he always made time for me. His former PA Brenda knew it that I would call in and say "I need to see my uncle" she would laugh and let me see him. Even when their offices moved to Sandton and he was a vice-chairman of Nedbank I still had access to his office without an appointment.

What a loss for South Africa, for the black managers and workers and most importantly for any ambitious young person.

Lot believed in young managers and business people, this I know because he believed in me.

Never in my mind have I ever thought that I would shed a tear for someone who was not my blood. Lala kahle Gatsheni! Boya benyathi obusongwa busombuluke, Sihlahla sombhama sona esingabukwayo, uma ungasibheka uzobhamuka amehlo till the trumpet sounds!