Fanta, Lady Singhateh, CRG (13 July 1929 – 12 May 2023), also known as Fatou Fanta Basse Sagnia,[1] or Sagniang[2] was First Lady of the Gambia from 1966 to 1970.
Fanta, Lady Singhateh, CRG | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of the Gambia | |
| In office February 9, 1966 – April 24, 1970 | |
| Governor General | Sir Farimang Singhateh |
| Preceded by | Kathleen Paul |
| Succeeded by | Chilel Jawara |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 July 1929 Georgetown (present-day Janjanbureh), British Gambia |
| Died | 12 May 2023 (aged 93) |
| Spouse | |
Biography
editSingahteh was born in Georgetown, modern Janjanbureh, The Gambia, on 13 July 1929. In 1949, she married Sir Farimang Singhateh, then medical officer, but future Governor-General of the Gambia.[2] They had six children together.[2] She and her husband, who were both Ahmadiyya, went on the Hajj - the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964.[2]
Politics
editSinghateh 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 one 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 of the Gambia from 1966 to 1970, when her husband was the Governor-General of the Gambia.[6] They were both the first Gambians to be in those posts, he as Governor-General, she as First Lady.[1] In her role, she was concerned with welfare and encouraged philanthropic schemes aimed at supporting women.[6] She was a strong advocate of communal, cultural and social development.[3]
In her 90s, she opened a bakery providing low-cost products, enabling everyone to buy bread.[5] She died on 12 May 2023, at the age of 93.[7]
Awards
editIn 2012, Singhateh became a Commander in the Order of the Republic of the Gambia (CRG).[8] 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]
References
edit- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b c d West Africa. West Africa Publishing Company, Limited, Michigan, 1966, p.477.
- ^ a b c "Constructional works on infrastructural development". thepoint.gm. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- ^ The voice of the people: the story of the PPP, 1959-1989. Bakary Dabo. Baroueli, 1992
- ^ a b Ltd, Fresco Software Solution Pvt. "Foday Singhateh | AFRIFAMU". DAORA BEADS. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- ^ a b "Lady Fanta Singhateh – She Awards Gambia". Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- ^ Gambia former first lady Fanta Singhateh dies aged 96
- ^ "President Jammeh confers national awards on 309 - Daily Observer". 2012-05-09. Archived from the original on 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2020-02-11.