Ephraim Mogale

Ephraim Phumuga Mogale (6 February 1959 – 2003) was a South African politician and former anti-apartheid activist. The inaugural president of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), he was an underground operative for Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in the Northern Transvaal and was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1980 to 1985. After the end of apartheid, he represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the National Assembly and Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature.

Early life and activism Mogale, a Pedi speaker, was born on 6 February 1959. In the 1970s, he joined the outlawed ANC and, after receiving training, returned to his hometown of Moutse in the former Northern Transvaal,

In 1979, Mogale was elected as COSAS's inaugural president. In November of that year, he and other leading members of COSAS were detained under the Terrorism Act. In late April 1980, he and another student, Thabo Makunyane, were charged with furthering the aims of the ANC. Mogale was convicted and spent five years on Robben Island.

Legislative career In the 1999 general election, Mogale stood for the ANC as a candidate for election to the National Assembly. Mogale served in the seat for just over a year, resigning on 2 July 2001; he was replaced by Louisa Mabe.

Death He died in a car accident in 2003. He is the namesake of the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality in Limpopo (the former Northern Transvaal).