Mzwandile Masala

Mzwandile McDonald Masala (20 February 1938 – 2 May 2023) was a South African politician and former anti-apartheid activist. He represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the National Assembly from 1997 to 2004. He was the South African Ambassador to Zambia from 2004 to 2007.

During apartheid, Masala was active in the ANC underground in the Eastern Cape. He joined Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1962 and was arrested in 1964 for his MK activities. He spent 11 years on Robben Island and upon his release was banned. In later years, he was a founding member of the United Democratic Front, and he served as deputy provincial chairperson of the ANC's Eastern Cape branch from 1994 to 1996.

Early life and activism Masala was born on 20 February 1938 in Alice in the former Cape Province. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) at an early stage of the anti-apartheid struggle after moving to Port Elizabeth in his youth.

Upon his release from prison in 1976, he was subject to a banning order which prohibited him from participating in political activities and banished him to the Ciskei bantustan. He nonetheless remained active in the ANC's underground structures and was a founding member of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1983.

Career in government In 1997, He was re-elected to full terms in 1999 serving the Eastern Cape constituency. He resigned on 29 June 2004, ceding his seat to Peter Hendrickse.

Masala left Parliament to join the diplomatic service, serving as South African Ambassador to Zambia from 2004 to 2007.

He died on 2 May 2023 in a hospital in Cape Town after a brief illness.