Ndlovu and two others die in accident

The athletic fraternity has been shattered by the death of Isaac Ndlovu, coach and founder of Daveyton’s East Athletic Club (EAC) and the development chairperson for Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), in a car accident on September 6.

Ndlovu and two women—the sister and mother of a Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) athlete—were killed in a collision on the R50 in Delmas at around 18:30 while returning from the Athletics South Africa cross-country championships in Middelburg.

The driver, BNAC junior coach Nkanyiso Mthembu, another female passenger (also the mother of a BNAC athlete), and an 18-month-old girl (the daughter of one of the deceased women) sustained injuries and were transported to hospital.

According to a source on the scene, Mthembu, the baby, and the three women were flung from the VW Polo they were driving.

“One of the women was stable, and the other two were declared dead on the scene. The male passenger (Ndlovu) was trapped in the back seat and declared dead on the scene. The driver was semi-conscious with serious injuries and taken to a hospital in Delmas. The driver of the other vehicle, a black Ford Raptor, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in Springs by his colleagues. The cause of the accident is unknown. All emergency services were on the scene.”

Sibongile Nkosi, a secretary at EAC, described Ndlovu as a people’s person, saying it’s a big loss not only to the club but the entire athletics fraternity in Central Gauteng.

“His wish was to take children off the streets and turn them into Olympians. When he left us in Middelburg, he said he would meet us in Daveyton. He left us too soon. We are weak. We don’t know what to do. His young athletes are suffering. He wasn’t just their coach. He was also a father figure. All they are saying is that Isaac meant everything to them. We promise to continue his legacy. With him watching us from heaven, we will take the club forward,” Nkosi said.

CGA GM Mandla Radebe said Ndlovu was a true servant of athletics in the province.

“He dedicated his passion to unearthing raw talent in Daveyton schools and his community. He has produced many national athletes in the middle distance. In recent times, he was not only involved in unearthing talent but also contributed at various CGA Council meetings, advocating for more investment into development by the province.

“His passion for nurturing young talent and advancing athletics in the province will be remembered as part of his lasting legacy. We are devastated by his untimely passing. It is a huge loss to the athletics community, his family, and all those who worked with him over the years,” said Radebe.

The BNAC sent its condolences to the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“The BNAC is deeply saddened to learn of the accident which claimed the lives of the mother and sister of one of our athletes and Coach Isaac from EAC. Our thoughts and prayers are with the mom of another of our athletes who is recovering in the hospital, Coach Nkanyiso, and all the families and friends affected by this heartbreaking loss.

“The club mourns alongside the athletic community during this profoundly difficult time,” said the club’s media liaison Kerry Webb.

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