By Chibamba Kanyama
Devastating news. The passing away of Mr Friday NDHLOVU this morning is shocking. We have had moments together since 1997 when I was among the first 100 customers to open accounts with his newly launched bank, Investrust Merchant Bank (Now a PLC).
His story is captured in my book ‘Business Values for Our Time’ and recaptured in the new edition with new lessons and experiences (not yet in the market). His last words to me were in January 2020 when he had a moment with me, ‘Mr. Kanyama, you can make a very good politician. Some of us are purely in the corporate world but you are best suited for both. You are not getting any younger. Consider it before it is too late.’ Was not expecting that from him given that he was apolitical.
Mr Ndhlovu lost two sons within a short period of each other (2019/2020). Now Mr Ndhlovu is gone. Like my brother Harry Mafuta has put it, how do we mourn such a man, a dynamic corporate leader, a risk taker, a model of ethical leadership, a genuine lover of people; a humble man who served this country diligently in the public sector? You did your part and it’s for this generation to emulate you and take over the mantle of determination, focus, resilience and success. May your soul rest in eternal peace Mr. Friday NDHLOVU.