South Africa Honors Don Mattera on Mandela Day
The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the Don Mattera Legacy Foundation will unveil an installation honoring the late Don Mattera on July 18th, Nelson Mandela’s birthday. Mattera, a celebrated anti-apartheid activist and literary figure, passed away in 2022 at age 85.
Known as “Bra Don”, he rose from a difficult upbringing in Sophiatown, including leading a street gang, to become a leading voice for marginalized communities through poetry, journalism, and activism. Mattera’s work chronicled the lives of Black South Africans under apartheid, emphasizing the importance of culture and memory as tools for liberation.
His autobiography, Memory is the Weapon, and poem The Day They Came for Our House are considered seminal works documenting the period. The installation will remain on display until the end of 2027, ensuring Mattera’s legacy endures and continues to inspire future generations. The event aims to celebrate his life and contributions on a day dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s commitment to social justice.
Surfaced by the Belonging lens — one of the vital signs ovr.news reads.
How we evaluated this
AI summary
read the original for the full story — Read on timeslive.co.za . How we work →