Fanta Singhateh

Fanta Singhateh also known as Fatou Fanta Basse Sagnia[1] or Sagniang[2] (born 13 July 1929, Janjanburah) is a former First Lady of the Gambia.

Lady

Fanta Singhateh
Born13 July 1929
Janjanburah
OccupationFirst Lady 1966-70
Spouse(s)Sir Farimang Singhateh
HonoursCommander of the Order of the Gambia

Biography

Singahteh was born in Georgetown, modern Janjanbureh, Gambia, on 13 July 1929. In 1949 she married Farimang Singhateh, then medical officer, but future Governor General of the Gambia.[2] They had six children together.[2] She and her husband, who are both Ahmadiyya, went on the Hajj - the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964.[2]

Politics

Singhateh and her husband were early members of the People's Progressive Party, which was founded in 1959.[1] As part of their work within the party they campaigned for the end of colonialism.[3] Singhateh herself was known as a radical within the party.[4] Prior to her marriage, Singhateh was an activist and was of the first people to receive charitable shipments of second-hand clothing from Belgium to distribute in regions like Bakoteh, Sukuta and rural villages.[5]

Singhateh served as First Lady from 1966-70, when her husband was elected.[6] They both the first Gambians to be in those posts, he as Governor General, she as First Lady.[1] In her role, Singhateh was concerned with welfare and encouraged philanthropic schemes aimed at supporting women.[6] She is a strong advocate of communal, cultural and social development.[3]

Aged over 90, she opened a bakery which charges low prices, enabling everyone to buy bread.[5]

Awards

In 2012, Singhateh became a Commander in the Order of the Republic of Gambia.[7] When her husband was awarded a Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II, Singhateh could adopt the title Lady, and became known to many in the Gambia as 'Lady Fanta'.[3]

Sir Farimang Singhateh Foundation

References
  1. Hughes, Arnold (2008). Historical dictionary of The Gambia. Perfect, David, 1960- (4th ed.). Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-8108-5825-1. OCLC 212627111.
  2. West Africa. West Africa Publishing Company, Limited, Michigan, 1966, p.477.
  3. "Constructional works on infrastructural development". thepoint.gm. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  4. The voice of the people: the story of the PPP, 1959-1989. Bakary Dabo. Baroueli, 1992
  5. Ltd, Fresco Software Solution Pvt. "Foday Singhateh | AFRIFAMU". DAORA BEADS. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  6. "Lady Fanta Singhateh – She Awards Gambia". Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  7. "President Jammeh confers national awards on 309 - Daily Observer". web.archive.org. 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
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