ANDILE Albert Fani was born and breed in a rural town in the Eastern Cape. His humble upbringing has taught him to be part of the people rather than above them, and has made him straightforward and principled. He is conservative by nature, and has great respect for systems and people.

Fani has a diploma in public management from Walter Sisulu University, which was previously known as Boarder Technikon; a diploma in labour law, and certificates in municipal financial management and local government management. He is studying towards his B.Tech degree in public management and administration through Unisa, the South African distance university.

He has an extensive experience in local government. Before he was officially appointed City manager of Buffalo City, he filled the role in an acting capacity for more than a year after he was seconded from the provincial department of local government and traditional affairs. With his management team, he brought stability to a municipality that had operated without a municipal manager for three years. During his tenure, Fani has irreversibly sailed the institutional ship from local municipality to metropole status. This transformation required much preparation and consultation.

Extensive experience in local government under Fani's belt includes:

• Assistant director in what was then the housing department (now the department of human settlements) for six years;
• Municipal support manager in the Amathole District Municipality for two years;
• Strategic manager in the Amathole District Municipality for three years;
• Head of the Office of the MEC in the Eastern Cape Treasury for two years;
• Head of the Office of the Eastern Cape MEC of health for five months; and,
• Acting City manager of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality for one year.

Combined, these positions are proof that Fani, together with his capable team, is able to take the new metro to greater heights.