The African National Congress(ANC)in the Eastern Cape once again dip its banner in mourning on the passing away of struggle stalwart,Cde Joe Tshayingwe Ngalo at hospital this morning( Thursday 7 March 2019) after a short illness.
Comrade Ngalo joined the liberation struggle in Port Elizabeth at the very young age, recruited by Comrade Ntsangani and Vuyisile Mini.He was entrusted with explosives to blow up dairy houses established by a trust at Middledrift.He was utilized to carry confidential messages between Port Elizabeth and the former Ciskei rural areas. He recalls the very high level of security consciousness which characterized MK operations at that period, the extent to which comrades knew the comrades of their own cell only, and communicated with others by an elaborate system of confidential signs and signals.
After the arrest of Comrade Mini and others, he left the country to exile in 1963 .He was trained at Odessa in the Soviet Union , and from there to Kongwa Camp in Tanzania.He narrowly escaped death in the Spolilo Campaign after which he moved to Dar-es-Salaam, where he was deployed as mechanic/ driver to leaders such as OR Tambo and Moses Kotane .Cde Ngalo was later redeployed to Zambia where he acted as Commander of Kalua Camp.In 1991 , he returned to South Africa, the first of the 1963 exiles to do so.
On his return from exile , he remained active in the ANC structures, an outspoken advocate for the renewal and restoration of the integrity and values of the movement he served all his life.
We mourn the loss of this gentle giant, whose life was one of service, excellence, and love for his people and our movement.
On behalf of the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC and the entire membership of the movement, we pass our heartfelt condolences to the entire family for their loss. The movement mourns with them as we celebrate the life of this gentle giant of our struggle.
Cde Joe Ngalo is survived by his wife,Sisi Bulelwa, his only surviving son, Siphiwo and grand children .Memorial and funeral services will be communicated in due course .
Family contact person :
Cde Gola Ndumiso 0827805369
Issued by :
ANC EC Provincial Communications
Enquiries :
Judy Mpetsheni
Mobile No : 0731176194/0636878267
Gift Ngqondi
Head of Communications
Mobile No :0849519924 /0848439706
