The Order of Luthuli in Silver

David Fani Mncube Awarded for:

His excellent contribution to the struggle for non-racist, non-sexist, and democratic just South Africa.

Profile of David Fani Mncube

David Fani Mncube believed in freedom and equality for all and as a result he became involved in the struggle for democracy. He was born on 29 July 1930 and at the age of 17, he joined the Communist Party. A year later he joined the ANC, and was soon co-opted to the Transvaal ANC executive branch.

During the Defiance Campaign, Mncube helped to organised volunteers and stationed them in various places to defy unjust laws. From 1951 to 1953, Mncube became part of the executive committee during the formation of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (Sactu).

A Sactu branch was launched in Cape Town in 1953, where Mncube was the organiser of the domestic workers, flats and hotels unions. He also played a role in political organisations during the compilation of the Freedom Charter.

During the time Robert Sobukwe and Elias Motsoaledi was forming an ANC branch in his hometown of Mofolo in Soweto, Mncube was harassed and banned by the Special Branch. A police unit formed to clamp down on anti-apartheid movements, and Mncube had to leave his house. After signing the unbanning document by the Special Branch, he joined the South African Civic Association. He was elected to the Nebo South branch’s executive committee in Tafelkop. In 1994, Mncube became active again in the ANC.

Mncube continued to fight for the improvement of the lot people at grassroots level. He highlighted the plight of people in Nebo’s agricultural sector to former President Mandela in 1994. He also went to the USA through the SA/USA Bi-National Commission, taking the plight of Nebo in Limpopo and Msinga in KwaZulu-Natal to the commission. He was elected to the Bi-National Committee in Nebo to continue raising awareness and soliciting assistance for the disadvantaged.