The Order of Mendi for Bravery in Bronze

Jetro Ndlovu Awarded for:

His excellent contribution to the fight for freedom, equality and democracy in South Africa.

Profile of Jetro Ndlovu

Jetro Ndlovu, as one of the many liberation struggle heroes, joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1959 at a time when the repressive regime began introducing additional unjust legislation against black people. He served the Struggle with dedication and distinction.

Soon after joining the ANC, Ndlovu was recruited into the units of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in 1961. He commanded units that operated in the Cato Ridge, Fredville and Camperdown areas in KwaZulu-Natal. When Curnick Ndlovu, Billy Nair and other members of the first regional command of MK were imprisoned or forced into exile, Ndlovu and Cleopas Ndlovu formed the second layer regional command structure of MK.

Along with Wilton Mkwayi and Bram Fischer, he carried out the instructions of the ANC and ensured that the interests of the liberation struggle were furthered. He was arrested in 1966 and sentenced to six years in jail for membership of a banned organisation.

Ndlovu was released from prison in the 1970s and he was served with a banning order that confined him to Inchanga. Between 1990 and 1993, he was elected into the Natal Midlands leadership of the ANC and also served as its regional treasurer.

Despite constant harassment through arrests, torture and unlawful detention, Ndlovu never doubted the importance of pursuing freedom for the oppressed people of South Africa. Like other freedom fighters, he sacrificed so much to ensure that South Africa becomes a thriving democratic society where all people share a common citizenship status that is not based on skin colour, creed or ethnicity; and where all people are equal before the laws of the country.