New Athos
Vladimir Mikanba was born 23 September 1931 in New Athos in the Gudauta district of what was then the Abkhazian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1960 he graduated from the Moscow road institute. From 1960 to 1975 Mikanba held various positions within the Sukhumi taxi organisation. From 1975 until 1985, he was Chairman of the Executive Committee of the City Soviet of Sukhumi, a position equivalent to that of Mayor.