General Lambert Moloi, born Lehlohonolo Moloi OMSS MMM, was a South African military commander, and a former commander of the African National Congress's military wing, Umkhonto weSizwe.
Lambert Sekenku Ntsike Lehlohonolo Moloi | |
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Born | Quting, Basotholand British Protectorate | 25 December 1932
Died | December 23, 2013 Johannesburg | (aged 80)
Allegiance | South Africa |
Service | |
Years of service |
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Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands |
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Awards |
Military career
editGeneral Moloi was born in 1932, in Quting, Lesotho. In 1940 his family moved to South Africa to join his father, who was a railway worker in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. He attended school in Soweto until 1963, when he left the country to join the African National Congress's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He returned to Lesotho, where he lived in exile, and worked there with assassinated South African Communist Party general secretary Chris Hani until he was transferred to Lusaka in the early 1980s. He served as an MK commander the entire time. Moloi worked in MK's operations department, responsible for the deployment and infiltration of members into the country. On his return to South Africa, he played a major role in the negotiations to ensure MK members were integrated into the then newly-formed SANDF, which he joined as a general officer.[1] At the time of his death Moloi was a member of the newly-established Defence Service Commission, which was formed to look after the conditions of service of members.[2]
Chair of Cell C
editMoloi Co-founded the Cell C, CellSAF and 3C Telecommunications company in 1998 and was appointed as its chairman.[3]
Awards and decorations
edit- Order for Meritorious Service (Silver) (OMSS)
- Military Merit Medal (MMM)
- Operational Medal for Southern Africa
- South Africa Service Medal
- Unitas (Unity) Medal
- Service Medal (Gold)
- Service Medal (Silver)
- Service Medal (Bronze)
References
edit- ^ "Zuma confirms continuing honours for military veterans". defenceWeb. defenceWeb. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "Fact file: Chiefs of the SA Service Corps". Mail&Guardian. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ Holomisa, Bantu. "Major General (Ret)". UDM. United Democratic Movement. Retrieved 27 August 2020.