Tributes continue to pour in following the sudden passing of Dr Vanguard Mbuyiseli Mkosana. Mkosana passed away yesterday, Thursday 1st July 2021 after short illness.
He was born on the 16th September 1954 at Mqonci Village in Idutywa. He worked as a miner and a teacher where he distinguished himself as a worker leader.
Dr Mkosana left the country in 1980 and went into exile to join the ANC in Lesotho. While in Lesotho he played a role in the Committee focusing on the Mining Industry that played a leading role in the formation of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
In a statement the African National Congress in the Eastern Cape wrote Eastern Cape conveyed its message of sincere condolences to the Mkosana family for the great loss.
It said Dr Mkosana was a trade unionist of note. He fought for workers’ rights and universal emancipation. He also served in the executive committee of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) while in exile as the Head of Publicity.
The name of Vanguard Mkosana belongs to the galaxy of exceptional men and women who, through their dedication and discipline, rose from humble beginnings to make an indelible mark in our nation’s collective consciousness and helped to shape our country’s democratic destiny, read the statement.
“We dip our revolutionary banner in honour of this fallen, dedicated cadre of our movement, a revolutionary and an unassuming leader who served workers and this country with diligence and selflessness.”
President of the Black Business Forum Luthando Bara praised Mkhosana for his character and legacy, which included the successful pursuit of an inclusive economy for the marginalized youth in rural communities.
As the Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) he championed a number projects aimed reviving rural development and inclusion of rural youth and women in farming.
Dr Mkosana’s skills and expertise were affirmed when he was appointed to serve in the ANC Eastern Cape Economic Transformation Subcommittee from 2013 to 2018.
paying tribute to Dr Mkhosana Mintek Board Chairperson Sahlulele Luzipo said that Mkhosana demonstrated a commitment to Mintek’s principles of integrity, accountability and openness each time he led the entity to appear before the committee. “He was also passionate about transformation, and he was aiming for at least 46% women representation during his tenure as board chairperson,” Luzipo said.
