Tributes continue to pour in for poet James Matthews

Tributes continue to pour in for poet, writer and political and cultural activist James Matthews. Matthews passed away in his sleep in Cape Town over the weekend. He was 95 years old.

ARCHIVE: James Matthews at Bush Radio studios

James David Matthews was born to working-class parents in District Six, Cape Town, on 29 May 1929. He attended Prestwich Primary School and then went on to Trafalgar High School in Cape Town.

After leaving school, Matthews had a number of jobs, including as newspaper boy, office messenger, clerk, and telephonist. Following the publication of his first writings in 1946, when he was aged 17, he found work as a journalist, over the years contributing to various national publications. He produced five books of poetry, a collection of short stories, a novel and an anthology of poetry, which he edited. Most of his work was banned under the Apartheid government and was translated and published overseas.

@bushradio895fm James Matthews (24 May 1929 – 7 September 2024) The following contains an audio clip of James Matthews reciting his poem "Think of me". It was recorded in 1997 at the memorial of Bush Radio member Ralton Praah. #jamesmatthews #bushradio ♬ original sound - BushRadio

Matthews was placed in detention from September to December 1976. He is the first black person to have established an art gallery (Gallery Afrique) in South Africa, and is the first black person to have established a publishing house (BLAC Publishing House 1974 -1991) In 2010, he was given an award by the City of Cape Town. Matthews was a founding member and the patron of Cosaw from its inception in 1987. Matthews was awarded in 2004 as a Member of the National Order of Ikamanga.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the family and friends of Matthews.

“James Matthews’s voice will ring in our consciousness following his departure and we will remain captivated and inspired by the rage and elegance with which he articulated the stark struggles of the oppressed. We will be comforted by the many works he has left for us to revisit and by our memories of his appearances at rallies, ghoembas, the frontlines of street protest and intimate circles of kindred creatives where, beret askew on his head, he would feed the souls and fighting spirit of those around him. May he now rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde also conveyed his condolences.

“As prolific and talented as James Matthews was, he was so much more than just a writer and poet; he was integral to the anti-apartheid movement, giving a powerful voice through his writing to the oppressed. He was an important part of our province and country's artistic fabric. He will be sorely missed and his contribution rightly celebrated.’’

Press Council executive director at the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) Latiefa Mobara, said Matthews was her mentor from Bridgetown when she worked at the Congress of South African Writers (Cosaw).

“He was as fit as a fiddle and a prolific poet, who would write on the spot wherever he was with a glass of red wine in hand. James walked everywhere and was a mischievous free-spirited bohemian. May his artist soul explore eternal creativity,” she said.

‘’As SANEF we bow our heads in sorrow for the loss of such a prolific writer, poet, and publisher as Matthews. His words and wisdom will continue to inspire generations. We express our sincere condolences to his family and the journalism fraternity. And peace to his soul,’’ added Mobara.

Parliament described Matthews as a ‘’powerful voice in the fight against apartheid who wielding his pen, challenged the oppressive regime.’’

‘’He gave a voice to the voiceless and stood resolute for truth and justice during one of the darkest chapters in our country’s history. Mr. Matthews' dedication to the struggle for freedom cannot be overstated. South Africa owes him a profound debt of gratitude for his role in liberating our people through his art and activism. He belonged to a generation that selflessly dedicated their lives to the emancipation of the oppressed, expecting no reward. His pioneering contributions to literature and the arts included founding South Africa's first black-owned art gallery and the first black-owned publishing house, BLAC (Black Literature Arts and Culture), both of which were shut down by the apartheid regime,’’ said Parliament in a statement.

 

Done by: Mitchum George