The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape once again dips its banner in mourning, as it was informed of the passing of ANC Veteran and former Mayor of Uitenhage Transitional Council, Comrade Mxolisi Cumngce Gawe after he has not been well for some time. Cde Mxolisi Gawe passed away last night (Tuesday, 30June 2020).
Cumngce Mxolisi Gawe was born on 14 October 1939. He attended St Matthews College and Lovedale High School in the Eastern Cape, where he matriculated. In 1962 he obtained his Honours in Psychiatric Nursing at the Komani Hospital and then went on to obtain a Medical and Surgical Nursing qualification in 1967 at the Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth.
Some years later, he picked up the books once more and, in 1980, obtained the National Diploma in Industrial Administration at the former Port Elizabeth Technikon. Gawe was the first black student to receive a National Diploma from the PE Technikon, graduating with four distinctions. This was the beginning of Gawe’s association with the Port Elizabeth Technikon and the later merged institution, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
Cumngce Gawe was employed by the Port Elizabeth Municipality, where he worked as a Work Study Assistant from 1972 to 1977. He was thereafter recruited by Goodyear and worked in the Industrial Engineering department, later joining Production Management as a Production Manager until 1994. Comrade Gawe served in the former old ANC Eastern Cape Region with the leadership collective of Cde Linda Mti, Cde Gugile Nkwinti and Cde Bongani Gxilishe.
He became a member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature in 1994 deployed by the ANC and served as Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs. The ANC later deployed Comrade Gawe as Mayor of Uitenhage Transitional Council in 1997.
Nelson Mandela University presented Cumngce Mxolisi Gawe with the Council Prestige Award on 8 December 2016.
As this trinity of cadres of our struggle are given over to the domain of memory, we take custody of their legacy. We are commanded with writing and articulating them into history in modes that do justice to their contributions to the achievement of a liberated South Africa and the full breadth of their personhood.
2020 has been a particularly devastating year, as we mourned the loss of Bicks Ndoni, Johnny Makgato, Government Zini and Max Mamase.
Comrade Mxolisi Cumngce Gawe stands among many who carved rich lives in the face of devastating conditions. He found hope within, with an unwavering belief in our humanity and the moral foundations of our liberation struggle. Comrade Gawe’s life was fruitful, significant and abundantly full. His memory will undoubtedly live on.
To Comrade Gawe’s family, friends and comrades : take solace in the knowledge that your loss is our loss.
Hamba Kahle, Gentle Giant.
Issued by :
ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Communications
Enquiries :
Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No :0848439706/0849519924
