The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape has learnt with shock and sadness of the untimely passing away of Cde Singata Mafanya , a stalwart of our movement. Cde Mafanya passed away on Friday (15th January 2021) morning after a short illness.
Cde Mafanya made a sterling contribution to the struggle for liberation and sacrificed a lot in his life to ensure the attainment of freedom and democracy. He served with distinction as an academic at University of Fort Hare. Even as an erudite academic , Comrade Singata Mafanya benefited a great deal from his extensive and broad interaction with the ANC community of which he was an active member.
Cde Mafanya studied at University of Fort Hare and obtained Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Sociology in 1968. He continued with his tertiary studies and obtained Masters Degree in Sociology – Northwestern University, Chicago. He joined University of Fort Hare in 1968 as Research Assistant – Dept of Sociology. He was later appointed Junior Lecturer of Sociology in 1974 and as Lecturer in Sociology from 1982 to 1993. Comrade Mafanya was appointed Acting Head :Dept of Sociology in 1986 at UFH. In 1992 he was appointed Acting Head :Department of Criminology in 1992 – UFH. From 1993 – 1996 he served as Dean of Students at UFH.
Comrade Mafanya served as Treasurer – Alice Rugby Union in 1986. He was elected
Regional Executive Committee(REC) member (Border Civic Congress). After the unbanning of political organizations, he served as Treasurer – ANC Alice Branch from 1990-1991. He was elected REC member (ANC Border Region) and served from 1990 – 1992. ANC deployed Cde Mafanya as Councillor at Alice Municipality and represented the Alice Municipality at Amathole District Municipality from 1995 to 2000. He was again deployed from 2001 – 2006 as Councillor at Amathole District Municipality – serving in the Human Resource and Administration Committee.
Comrade Mafanya recognized the role of people’s organs for people’s power hence he served as Treasurer :South African National Civic Organization (SANCO) Victoria East Sub-Region. He served from 1993 – 2006 as Chairperson :South African National Civic Organization (SANCO) Victoria East Sub-Region and Deputy Chairperson of Governing Council – Lovedale College of Education 1994 -1997. Comrade Singata Mafanya was elected as the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member of the ANC and served from 1994 – 2006. He also served as Board member – Border Rural Committee from 1996 – 2000.
In the dawn of freedom he served in government, making a noticeable mark in the safety and security portfolios. He was appointed Director :Facilitation, Dept of Safety & Liaison – Eastern Cape Provincial Government and served from 1996-1998. Comrade Mafanya was appointed Deputy Director-General and HOD – Dept or Safety & Liaison :2003 – 2005. He became Acting Head of Campus :Lovedale FET College from 2007-2009. He was once again appointed
Public Service Commissioner – Public Service Commission and served from 2009 – 2019.
Not only has Comrade Singata Mafanya distinguished himself as a disciplined cadre of the ANC, he served our movement with distinction in various capacities where he was deployed. He will be remembered for his energy, forthrightness, efficiency and commitment to making this country a better place each day.
We send our sincere condolences to the Mafanya family, relatives, friends and the entire Congress Movement.
Lala ngoxolo Tshezi, Tenza, Fakade, Jalamba, Saliwa, Citshane, Mkhonto ubomvu.
ISSUED BY THE PROVINCIAL SECRETARY OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, CDE LULAMA NGCUKAYITOBI
Enquiries :
Cde Loyiso Magqashela
ANC PEC Provincial Spokesperson
Mobile No :0762479845
Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No :0849519924 /0848439706
