It was with extreme sadness that I heard this morning of the passing in Durban, South Africa, of a close friend of many years, Patrick ‘Bundu’ Peters. During the latter part of last year, Bundu, as he was known to all who knew him, suffered a devastating stroke which left him entirely paralysed. Fortunately, and after doctors had said there was nothing more they could do for him,
his family rallied around and with his wife Maureen, daughter Carmen, brother Jack, and the grandkids they helped Bundu through his difficult times, including feeding, and bathing him. Rather than mourn, perhaps we need to celebrate some of Bundu’s life.
Many years ago, while we were still both in the Selous Scouts, Bundu told me his grandfather had given him the nickname, Bundu, when he was about five years old, and that it had stuck ever since. It was a word used during the African colonial era to describe wilderness, or isolated tracts of bush, as in, ‘He lives way out in the bundu.’ The nickname suited Bundu Peters, and seemed to enhance his vibrant persona with his incredibly infectious sense of humour, and love of facing life head-on and laughing at whatever life threw at him. Throughout the over four decades I knew him I never heard him being referred to by his name Patrick. Ever. It was always Bundu.
While still a schoolboy in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), the country of his birth, Bundu decided he wanted to become a regular Army career soldier, and to that end and immediately after leaving school, he joined the Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI), and after passing his recruit phase found himself in 2 Commando, RLI. This obituary is not about any specific unit, but rather about a good and loyal friend to many. Suffice to say, the RLI needs no introduction as a formidable and highly respected fighting machine, which in the defence of the country during Rhodesia’s protracted Bush War, was as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar.
In time, Bundu decided to transfer to the Selous Scouts, and it was there, in Training Troop, where we first met. At the time, both of us were instructors, so it would have been during the latter part of 1977. Thereafter we became good friends, as did our wives and families. Our kids being toddlers in the garrison married quarters. With Rhodesia ultimately morphing into Zimbabwe in 1980, many of us went our separate ways. Bundu chose to initially join the SADF and moved to their 4 Recce unit.
For my part, I returned to a wildlife career, and although we retained a very loose contact by way of passing greetings to each other via third parties, it wasn’t until January, 2004, that we’d meet up again. This time, in the Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq. Both of us were on contract in the close protection field with Erinys Iraq, a British security company contracted to the US DoD, and to be more specific the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE).
For the next two years we both worked in Iraq, and in 2004, found ourselves together in the Gulf Region South, albeit on different tasks. Never the less, our R&R dates coincided, and we invariably exited Iraq for South Africa together, via Kuwait and Dubai. Travelling with Bundu was always an experience. Many Erinys personnel who remember Bundu from those days will recall his incredible humour, and laughter. Life to Bundu was one huge joke, and even his brother-in-law, ex-Rhodesian SAS soldier Torty King, who was with an opposition company used to socialise with us whenever Bundu and his Security Escort Team (SET) arrived in Basra.
Unfortunately, in early 2006, the vehicle Bundu was in detonated a landmine and Bundu suffered serious back injuries. Thereafter, and once back in South Africa he underwent surgery but was never able to free himself of the chronic back pain he suffered. Despite this, Bundu continued to look at the bright side of life and in all the time I knew him I never saw him depressed or morose. Bundu’s life philosophy was quite simply, we are here on planet earth to enjoy life to the fullest. He lived by that mantra.
Like many, I was saddened to hear of Bundu’s passing, however, we can comfort ourselves in the knowledge he will now be free of suffering and pain. Our sincerest condolences to Maureen, Carmen, Darrell, Jack, Joan, grandkids, and Torty. RIP old soldier. You will be remembered.
Obituary written by Kev Thomas :
To Anita and family, you are always held close. Xxxx Gaynor Tapson
. RIP friend..condolences to the family
Lynda Tozer
