Members of the Springs community, including the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), gathered on Saturday to bid a heartfelt farewell to retired Lieutenant General Jabulani Sydney Mbuli at an emotional funeral service.

Held at the Springs Civic Centre, the service was a touching tribute as family, colleagues and community members shared stories of the impact Mbuli had on their lives.

The late Lieutenant General died on May 29 at 63 after being ill. He was born on November 10, 1963, in Payneville, to Elizabeth Matusu Mbuli and Morris Madoda Zuma.

Mbuli was a highly decorated military veteran and respected leader whose service spanned more than four decades.

He began his military career in 1981, joining Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the ANC.

After receiving military training in Angola, he specialised in anti-aircraft missiles and guns and served in combat operations against UNITA forces, where he held several leadership positions, including Section Commander, Platoon Commander, and Task Force Commander.

His leadership abilities earned him selection for Special Forces training abroad before he was deployed internally within South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Following his return to South Africa in 1995, he integrated into the SANDF as a captain and steadily rose through the ranks.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Protest action reported in Springs

Over the course of his career, he held several senior command and management positions, including General Officer Commanding Air Defence Artillery Formation, Chief Director of Defence Acquisition Management and Chief of Logistics of the SANDF.

In 2017, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, cementing his legacy as one of South Africa’s most respected military leaders.

Mbuli also served as general of the Gunners under the Gunners Association of South Africa, a role through which he continued to inspire and mentor many within the military fraternity.

Alongside his military service, Mbuli was committed to academic and professional development.

While based in Lusaka, Zambia, he completed his secondary education and pursued studies in accounting, business studies and computer programming.

He furthered his qualifications through specialised training in systems analysis and design and later completed senior management and military leadership programmes, including studies at the South African National War College and the Executive National Security Programme.

His dedication to lifelong learning complemented his military career and contributed to his rise to some of the highest leadership positions within the SANDF.

The chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, shared a tribute message encouraging people to uphold Mbuli’s legacy.

“Our vision must remain on generating a positive impact in whatever responsibility we have been entrusted with. General Mbuli’s life challenges us to shed the shackles of selfishness.

“We must collectively ask: what can we do together to achieve more and propel the SANDF and our country forward? That is the vision General Mbuli championed. Springs was not just a backdrop to his life; it is the cradle that raised, supported and nurtured this exceptional leader,” he said.

He also shared a message of condolences to the Mbuli family.

“We know that the time spent in service to us was time stolen from you. Please take comfort in knowing that these sacrifices were not in vain,” Maphwanya said.

Mbuli’s longtime friend, retired Major General Jabulani Pushkin Skosana, reminisced about their memories.

“When I found out he had passed away, my heart was shattered. This year marked 51 years of our friendship. We met when we were in standard three,” he shared.

He talked about their shared love of literature and how Mbuli loved writing drama scripts.

His brother, James Ziba Khumalo, spoke on behalf of the family, expressing his gratitude for the support they received.

“We have no words to express how grateful we are for the support we have received during this time. May his soul rest in peace, go well, soldier, until we meet again,” Khumalo said.

Mbuli is survived by Rosemary Mbuli and Lesego Motlhabang, as well as four children, Cynthia, Lindiwe, Gloria and Nkosazana.

His legacy continues through his eight grandchildren, Siphokazi, Natasha, Tumisang, Matshepang, Langalethu, Emmanuel, Grace and Favour.

He will be remembered as a protector, an intellectual, a devoted father and a man committed to driving positive change in the Springs community.

ALSO READ: Springs education community pays tribute to veteran teacher

ALSO READ: Jesus Christ Apostolic Church calls for more support as outreach programme expands