By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Iconic South African poet, author and anti-apartheid activist Don Mattera has passed away at the age of 87 on Monday.
The family confirmed his passing and said they would issue a full statement in due course.
On Saturday, the City of Joburg honoured the 87-year-old poet as part of the 60th year anniversary celebrations.
Mattera was born in Western Native Township, now called Westbury, Johannesburg in 1935.
According to SA History Online, his grandfather was an Italian immigrant who married a Xhosa or Khoisan woman from the Cape.
It was during the campaign against the removals of Black, Coloured, and Indians from Sophiatown, that Mattera became more aware of the political dimensions of his life. He then joined the African National Congress Youth League and became a political activist.
In the early 1970s he, like many others, became involved in the politics of ‘Black Consciousness’; he helped to form the Union of Black Journalists, as well as the Congress of South African writers.
As a result of his political activities, the South African government from 1973 to 1982 banned him. Three of these years were spent under house arrest. Following this period, he resumed his active life. He became a member of the National Forum, which was against what it referred to as “racial exclusivity” of the United Democratic Front.
Mattera has written poetry and an autobiography, called Memory is the Weapon. He has written plays and children stories. He was awarded the Steve Biko Prize for his autobiography.
Mattera has worked as a journalist on The Sunday Times, The Weekly Mail, now Mail & Guardian and The Sowetan.
He was a popular motivational speaker and often invited to be a Master of Ceremony in different functions. He held an honorary Doctorate (Dlit) degree in Literature from the University of Natal. He has also received fellowships from Sweden and America.
Mattera will buried this afternoon according to Muslim Rites.
Tributes
President Cyril Ramaphosa said Mattera was a widely-acclaimed, respected political and cultural activist and journalist, who received numerous acknowledgments nationally, continentally and internationally.
“As a nation, we are saddened by the loss of Don Mattera’s eloquent, rousing and revolutionary voice for justice.
“As we observe International Nelson Mandela Day, we remember Bra Don as a patriot, who in the spirit of this commemorative day, did what he could, with what he had, where he was.”
The City of Johannesburg’s council speaker, Vasco da Gama, paid tribute to Mattera, describing him as a respected figure and “a man of great reputation in South Africa”.
Da Gama said Mattera would be remembered for his activism and fighting for the marginalised at the height of apartheid.
“His legacy will live on in the foundation he created for the communities of Westbury, Ennerdale, Bosmont and Eldorado Park. Our heartfelt condolences to his friends, family and the communities he worked in so actively and tirelessly,” said Da Gama.
The Don Mattera Foundation said the poet died peacefully at his home in Protea Glen.
It said he had been recovering after a medical check-up at the Military One Hospital in Pretoria a few weeks ago.
The chairperson of the foundation, Jenny Jeftha, said Mattera’s death would be felt locally and globally.