SOUTH African literary giant and anti-apartheid activist, Don Mattera, has been laid to rest at the Heroes Acre in Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.
Mattera was buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
The journalist, writer, and activist died on Monday following a long illness at the age of 87. He was admitted to hospital in December after a suspected stroke.
In a statement on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that Mattera was a widely acclaimed and respected political, cultural activist and a journalist who received numerous acknowledgments nationally, continentally and internationally.
“He was an Esteemed Member of the Order of the Baobab (in Gold) which he was awarded in 2006 for his “excellent contribution to literature, achievement in the field of journalism and striving for democracy and justice in South Africa,” said Ramaphosa.
“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.”
Nathi Mthethwa, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, said Mattera has always used his words as a sword.
“His fight for what he believed in using everything available to him. He used to say that his words are a weapon, they hurt. If you look at his work, by and large his words talks to the youth, talks to the children. He was very dedicated in wanting to see children better,” said Mthethwa.
Mattera was born in Western Native Township, now called Westbury, Johannesburg in 1935.
Mattera became a political activist after being incensed by the removal of black, coloured and Indian people from Sophiatown.
He then joined the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and started spreading the teachings of the of Black Consciousness movement. Because of these political activities, the apartheid government banned him from 1973 to 1982 and placed him under house arrest for a few years.
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.
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