The african national congress in the western cape is mourning the death of community activist mario “gatto” wanza, who passed away on wednesday at age 59.
Mario “gatto” wanza, a prominent community activist, died on wednesday at the age of 59. The african national congress (anc) in the western cape has expressed deep sorrow over his passing, highlighting his lifelong dedication to social justice.
Wanza founded the nongovernmental organization proudly manenberg in 2005 to support youth in the gang-affected suburb of manenberg on the cape flats. His efforts focused on uplifting marginalized communities through empowerment and advocacy.
Provincial party spokesperson sifiso mtsweni praised wanza's contributions, noting his role as a shop steward for the southern african clothing and textile workers’ union (sactwu). He spent much of his career at proudly manenberg and the manenberg people’s centre.
Mtsweni described wanza as a steadfast champion of human rights who advocated for a non-racial, non-sexist, prosperous, and democratic society. “He spent his lifetime as an activist who empowered his community and surroundings to be their own liberators,” mtsweni said. “He was a forthright and uncompromising champion of human rights and he was a leader who stood firm for a non racial, non sexist, prosperous and democratic society. He will be remembered as an ardent cultural activist whom, even during the moments of illness, continued to take on the system that has sought to be unfair to the poor and fought for access for marginalised communities to receive services which they deserved.”
Wanza's work continued despite health challenges, emphasizing access to services for the underprivileged in manenberg.
