Today, 15 December 2020, the African National Congress was shocked to receive the sad news of the untimely passing of one of its most revered, hardworking and principled activist comrade Mike Kwenaite. As the ANC, we wish to convey our sincere condolences to the Kwenaite family for the loss of their loved one. As the ANC we dip our banner in honour of this revolutionary giant of our movement who remained principled, ethical and moral till his last days.
Comrade Mike became politically active from a young age and has served in various structures of the movement. He responded to the clarion call to the youth of this country by the movement to render this country ungovernable. He was a member of the Uitenhage Youth Congress and was elected its Deputy President in 1986. He led the youth of Uitenhage at the hight of repression by the racist Pretoria regime.
Mike registered at Vista university in 1983 and he immersed himself in the student struggles and joined Azanian Student Organisation (AZASO). He was part of the activist that led the struggles for transformation at Vista university and at the same time linking student struggles with broader community struggles at the time.
In 1987 Mike joined the University of Cape Town and became part of its student struggles for transformation. It was at UCT where he was elected chair of SATISCO (UCT branch) and in 1988 its National Deputy President.
After graduating from UCT he worked for Urban Foundation, Institute for Pastoral Care and the Western District Council as the Director for RDP.
After the unbanning of the ANC, Comrade Mike was elected as the political Secretary of the of the Kwanobuhle ANC Branch. He together with his comrades worked diligently towards the establishment of ANC structures in Uitenhage. In 2001 he was elected as the Regional Executive committee member of the Nelson Mandela Region.
He was later deployed by the ANC to serve in Uitenhage Transitional Council. When the three municipalities amalgamated into Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, Mike was deployed by the ANC to serve in various capacities as MMC for Economic Development. At the time of his death he was service in Council and the ANC earmarked him as its Executive Mayoral Candidate.
Once again, the ANC dips it’s banner in honour of this revolutionary giant of our movement who remained principled, ethical and moral till his last days.
The ANC will liaise with family with regards to the funeral arrangements.
Issued by
Luyolo Nqakula: ANC NMR RTT Coordinator
0782095917
