Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is saddened by the passing of Dr. Don Materra, a renowned anti-apartheid activist, a poet and an author. Dr. Materra has passed away on Monday, 18 July 2022 when the world was celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day. He was amongst a group of artists who made immense contribution towards the development of literature in the Northern Cape.
Dr. Don Francisco Mattera was born in Western Native Township, now called Westbury, Johannesburg in 1935. His grandfather was an Italian immigrant who married a Xhosa or Khoisan woman from the Cape. His grandfather then moved to Johannesburg where Mattera's father was born and classified Italian by the authorities. His mother was a Motswana and domestic worker in Johannesburg.
Materra cut his political teeth during the removals of Black, Coloureds and Indians from a mixed area of Johannesburg called Sophiatown to a Coloured area. He then joined the African National Congress Youth Leagues and became a political activist.
In the early 1970s, Materra became involved in the politics of Black Consciousness and played a critical role in the formation of the Union of Black Journalists as well as the Congress of South African writers.
He was banned by the then government from 1973 to 1982 as a result of his political activities and spent three years of these years under house arrest. Following this period, he resumed his active life and became a member of the National Forum, which was against what it referred to as “racial exclusivity” of the United Democratic Front.
Dr. Materra was an exceptionally talented writer and poet and was a frequent contributor at literary festivals including Northern Cape Writers Festival. During the festival he worked alongside other prominent authors and poets such as Vonani Bila, Manichand Beharilal, the late professor Mhlobo Jadezweni, Primrose Mrwebi, Ahmed Kathrada, Gredo Mutwa and Dr Sabata-Mpho Mokae amongst others.
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 will be missed for his motivational talks and engagements with learners from disadvantaged areas especially during Northern Cape Writers Festival.
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