Stafa was born in Elbasan in 1920, into a Gheg Albanian family[1] originating from the Zabzun village, which was part of the Dibra Region at the time.

In February 1939, a special court sat in Tirana against 73 people suspected for performing communist activities and propaganda.

Among others there were, Tuk Jakova, Vasil Shanto, Vojo Kushi, Branko Kadia, Zef Mala, Emin Duraku and the young Stafa who was arrested on 24 January.

[8] Stafa spent some time in Florence as a law student, on a scholarship from the Albanian government.

Although he was glorified in the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, his fiancée and his siblings' families were imprisoned and persecuted by the same administration, a fact not known by most Albanians.