Renowned poet, anti-apartheid activist and struggle icon, Dr Donato Franciso Mattera, affectionately known as ‘Bra Don’, passed away yesterday 18 July.
South Africans from every corner of the country have sent tributes in Don Mattera’s honour, from the man on the street to President Ramaphosa.
Mattera took his last breaths at 86-years-old on Nelson Mandela Day, which some have nodded as poetic in itself given his own role as a key pillar in the struggle against apartheid. Mattera also passed just a day after he was honoured by the Joburg Theatre with a spot on the walk of fame – a homage to his legendary status in Gauteng.
In his tribute, Ramaphosa honours Mattera as a patriot.
“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.
“May his soul rest in peace as, in his own prose, he sleeps the sleep of freedom,” the President expressed.
Mattera touched and tore at South Africa’s challenging seams with his poetry, journalism, activism, and integrity, and roared as a voice for the voiceless.
He has been laid to rest at the Heroes Acre in Westpark Cemetery, Johannesburg.
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Picture: Twitter/ @lebomashile