Fanta Singhateh

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 GeneralSir Farimang Singhateh
Preceded byKathleen Paul
Succeeded byChilel Jawara
Personal details
Born(1929-07-13)13 July 1929
Georgetown
(present-day Janjanbureh), British Gambia
Died12 May 2023(2023-05-12) (aged 93)
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1949; died 1977)​

Biography

Singahteh 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

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 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

In 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
  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. Gambia former first lady Fanta Singhateh dies aged 96
  8. "President Jammeh confers national awards on 309 - Daily Observer". 2012-05-09. Archived from the original on 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
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