SHOCK AS LAWYER MACILONGO PASSES ON

MANZINI – The cruel hand of death has struck once again in the legal fraternity, as well-known Lawyer, Macilongo Ndlovu, has passed away at the age of 42.

This is hardly five months after the death of Lawyer Sipho Simelane, who passed on in March 2024. The Eswatini law profession has lost another well-known legal eagle, Lawyer Macilongo, who died after a short illness on Tuesday, at around 7pm. Macilongo was renowned for his eloquence, impeccable and dapper style, and formidable courtroom presence.
The sad news was confirmed by a father figure in the Ndlovu family. He said the lawyer died while undergoing treatment at Mkhiwa Clinic at Zakhele, where he had been admitted for a couple of days. According to this younger brother, Thami ‘Pastor Bae’, who is an Acting Manzini Magistrate, Macilongo held a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court in 2006.

Firm

He said he practised as an attorney at Masina Mazibuko and Company. However, he said after Lawyer Dumisani Mazibuko was appointed Industrial Court Judge, he established Masina Ndlovu Attorneys. He said in 2014, Macilongo established his own law firm; MTM Ndlovu Attorneys, where he was a sole director until he died on Tuesday night.  On another note, the father figure of the Ndlovu family said they planned to lay him to rest on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at his parental home at Ludzibini, under Mayiwane Constituency, in the Hhohho Region. He said the funeral will be preceded by a morning service, which will start at 4am. He also highlighted that they were still engaging the senior pastors of his church – Living Waters Church of the Nazarene, regarding his memorial service, which will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024. Thami said they would be guided by the church, regarding the venue of the memorial service, which it would lead in collaboration with the Law Society of Eswatini.

Shocked

After the sad news broke out, some legal practitioners and judicial officers shared their experience after working with Macilongo. One of them is Magistrate Justice Mzizi, who said he was not in a good state to talk about Macilongo, because he lost a brother. He said they were in the same class from Form I at Salesian High School, until they graduated with an LLB at UNESWA. He said they worked together at Masina Mazibuko and Company and at Masina Ndlovu Attorneys, even after the death of Lawyer Thulani Masina.On the same note, lawyer Mzwandile Dlamini also said he struggled to talk about his friend, because he was still at denial stage. He said he spent almost the whole day yesterday trying to process the sad news. “I still do not believe that he is no more,” Dlamini said.

Again, the Law Society of Eswatini Secretary, Charity Simelane, said they were deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Attorney Macilongo’s sad passing. “We mourn the loss of one of our young, vibrant and expressive legal practitioners and feel we have been dealt a huge blow by the loss of our members in such a short space of time,” the secretary said.
Moreover, she sent their deepest condolences to the Ndlovu family, his friends, relatives and the legal fraternity at large.

Civil Service Commission Chairperson Simanga Mamba, who was his close friend had this to say:
We met with Mcilongo during our High School days at Salesian High school. We went to university together where we enrolled for Barchellor of Laws degree. Class of 2000 to 2005. We graduated together on the same day. We worked in Manzini as article clerks. He served at Masina Mazibuko Attorneys and I served at Zonke Magagula Atorneys.  He used to be Dj Baby Mike T. We then went to stay at Mobeni Flats Matsapha as young lawyers. Funny, I never liked clubs but I used to go drop him at the Dusk to Dawn Club, where he was a resident DJ. At times I would bring him some food there.

We had different characters on that part, but we were a wonderful combination. He was one of the best attorneys in our jurisdiction, more in civil law. He would put all his efforts and heart in a matter. He was a lawyer not easy to negotiate with whene the case favored him. He was one of the finest lawyers who would be a judge in the not so long future. Kind hearted and God fearing. We are saddened by this promising legal mind’s life to come to an end so early. This was not expected at all. Kufa kulisela kushiwo loku. Even now we don’t believe this is true

Magistrate Thami Ndlovu
A jolly good fellow….an astute and fierce lawyer worth the ink upon which he writes on. A protégé of one of the finest Attorneys to ever grace the land in Babe Thulani Masina. He raised a warrior in Court. The man was an absolute genius…a thinker of note...goodness me…having Macilongo for an opponent in Court was a total “headache” .  One of the most precious lessons I have learnt from him is to “Stop thinking like a Lawyer, think like a businessman”. As a brother, I have lost my last line of defence, we made a formidable team. The man literally shredded his weight just so that clients would differentiate between the two short and chubby Ndlovu Lawyers. As my big brother the man has been nothing short of amazing. He gave me a chance in the legal profession and never dimmed my shine at any point. My first biggest win in Court was rewarded with a Mazda 6 fully paid and he said to me “if you take care of the work, the work takes care of you”

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