St John the Evangelist church in Fish Hoek, Cape Town, was packed for the funeral on Saturday of navy officer Lieutenant Commander Gillian Malouw-Hector, who died on September 21 in a tragic submarine accident at the age of 29.
Lt Cdr Malouw-Hector was the first woman in Africa to navigate a submarine. According to the navy, she was part of the crew of the SAS ‘Manthatisi that was doing a naval exercise near Kommetjie when large waves swept the crew overboard. Five people were saved but three, including Lt Cdr Malouw-Hector, died. The other two were Master Warrant Officer William Mathipa (48) and Warrant Officer Class 1 Mmokwapa Mojela (43).
Lt Cdr Malouw-Hector had been received into the Catholic Church this year at the Easter Vigil. Her funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Subeesh John.
Eulogies included those from the husband and family as well as the chief of the SA Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese.
At the end of the funeral Mass, navy chaplain Rev TG Moreosele led those assembled in prayer, hymns and paying military respects.
Gillian Malouw was born and raised in Schauderville, Gqeberha. She married her longtime boyfriend Romero Hector in April 2021, with whom she had two-year-old son Tristan.
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