South African author, poet and anti-apartheid activist Donato “Don” Francisco Mattera has died at the age of 87, with President Cyril Ramaphosa paying tribute to the well-known poet for his activism during the struggle for freedom in the country.
Mattera died on Monday and was buried on the same day according to Muslim rites. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Ramaphosa expressed his sympathy to Mattera’s family and the Don Mattera Foundation.
“As a nation, we are saddened by the loss of Don Mattera’s eloquent, rousing and revolutionary voice for justice,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “As we observe International Nelson Mandela Day, we remember Bro Don as a patriot, who in the spirit of this commemorative day of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, did what he could, with what he had, where he was.”
Mattera was a widely acclaimed journalist and respected political and cultural activist who received numerous acknowledgments nationally, continentally and internationally.
He was a member of the Order of the Baobab awarded to him in 2006 for his “excellent contribution to literature, achievement in the field of journalism and striving for democracy and justice in South Africa,” the presidency said.
NM/jn/APA