Military veterans honour fallen comrade

It took a decade but the SA Legion were finally able to honour Seaman Maphumulo who died in 1992, with a tombstone recently.

Honorary Life President of the South African Legion, Peter Swindell, unveiled the tombstone of the late Seaman Goodman Maphumulo. The legionnaires and servicemen in attendance, stood to attention while the Last Post was played.

IT took a decade, but the South African (SA) Legion has finally been able to honour the memory of a fellow serviceman. On Friday, 21 April, the legion unveiled the tombstone of Seaman Goodman Maphumulo, who died 25 years ago.

“In 1992, Seaman Goodman Maphumulo drowned during a training exercise at Midmar Dam,” said the legion’s Durban branch secretary, Johann Kruger. According to Kruger, the navy conducted an investigation and found that the seaman’s death was an accident. Maphumulo was 22 at the time of his death and still undergoing basic training.

Maphumulo was buried on Heroes Acre at Redhill Cemetery.

The legion’s provincial committee chairman, Rick Andries said that when they heard Maphumulo was buried there without a tombstone – because the family could not afford one – the organisation decided to step in and help. “This was about 10 years ago, so it’s taken a long time to get the process going to finally honour this man today who died in the service of his country,” he said.

Members of the South African Legion, representatives from the Naval Base, Durban and peers of Seaman Maphumulo, attended the unveiling of his tombstone, 25 years after he died.

Some instructors of the seaman and his fellow trainees, who were able to make it to Friday’s memorial service. Senior W/O Barlow Moodley, W/O Winston Sabelo, W/O Bickey Pillay, W/O Kevin Anthony and W/O Ian Hogg.

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