Don mattera biography

Don Mattera is a renowned South African poet, community activist, former journalist, and musician with an enviable life story. He is a man of great reputation in South Africa. He is respected widely for his function in activism and for fighting for the rights of the underprivileged during the Apartheid period.

He is part of the surviving generation of the freedom fighters and activists who fought for South Africa’s democracy.

Don Mattera South African journalist, poet and author. He is better acknowledged as Don Mattera. As a youth he joined and became the leader of the gang called The Vultures and at the age of 20, he was charged with the murder of a rival gang member and spent time in jail as an awaiting trialist before his acquittal.

He paid greatly for the freedom that many South Africans enjoy today. So, how well do you realize the activist? Let us delve into his life story.

Don Mattera profile summary

• Full name: Donato Francisco Mattera
• Age: 85
• Year of birth:
• Nationality: South African
• Ethnicity: Italian, South African
• Profession: Poet, Activist, former Journalist, Veteran freedom fighter

Early life

Don was born in in the Western native township of South Africa, now known as Westbury, a town that made headlines last year about colored culture.

He was born to an Italian father and a Khoisan chick.

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 national worker in Johannesburg. Mattera was raised by his grandparents not his parents.

He considers himself an Italian since his grandfather was an Italian immigrant from the Cape. He is haughty of his roots. His mother was a domestic worker in Johannesburg.

His grandparents raised him in Johannesburg's Sophiatown during the oppressive regime of Apartheid.

The government moved his family to Westbury, an area designated for the colored in the society. When he turned eight years, his grandmother took him to St. Theresa Catholic Covenant School in Durban for studies.

Don Mattera - South African History Online: Donato Francisco Mattera (29 December – 18 July ), greater known as Don Mattera, was a South African poet and author.

However, his grandparents were displeased with the quality of education offered by the government.

Career

At the age of 14, he left the boarding school and then continued secondary studies at Pageview, a suburb in Johannesburg.

In his teenage years, he joined gang groups that would significantly alter his life. Don Mattera school years were troubled due to his involvement with the gang.

As fate would hold it, he became the head of a detestable gang collective called the Vultures.

As a gang leader, he escaped death several times. An attempt was made for his life when he was stabbed and shot at by rival gang members. At the tender age of 20 years, he was charged with the murder of a rival gang member and was jailed as he waited for the courts' verdict.

During this period, he became a father.

At the peak of the Apartheid regime in South Africa, the majority of blacks, Indians, and colored people were oppressed. Mattera realized his calling in South African politics and decided to join the African National Congress Youth League.

He became a political activist and helped preach the politics of Black Mind as Robert McBride's book noted. He formed the Union of Black Journalists and the Congress of South African writers.

His political activities aroused the curiosity of the government, and he was banned from to He spent part of these years under house arrest.

Don Mattera is a renowned South African poet, community activist, former journalist, and musician with an enviable being story. He is a guy of great reputation in South Africa. He is respected widely for his work in advocacy and for fighting for the rights of the underprivileged during the Apartheid period. He paid greatly for the freedom that many South Africans enjoy today.

Later, he resumed his political life and became a member of the National Forum, which lobbied for racial inclusivity. He is highly praised for his contributions to democracy like his counterpart Sam Phillips, who died recently.

Family

Don is a father of many children, including a son named Teddy.

His son revealed that the Don Mattera family and friends came up with the idea of the Don Mattera Foundation in Eldorado Park. The foundation aims to honor the legendary freedom veteran and educate the youth.

Don Mattera as a poet

Don Mattera poems are worth reading since they express about a time in history when life was hard.

His poems inspire children and South Africans at large. Once you hear him recite a poem from a book, it is reported that it never ceases to amaze listeners.

Don Mattera books include his iconic autobiography called Memory is the Weapon, written in It was awarded the Steve Biko Prize for telling the story of the early part of his experience in the s before Apartheid changed everything.

Poems and quotes

Don Mattera best poems are read in social events where he recites them.

He has an anthology of poems, some of which, such as One Time Brother, were banned during the oppressive regime of Apartheid.

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.

They include,

• Azanian Treasure Song; a collection of quick stories
• The Storyteller
• The Five Magic Pebbles
• Apartheid in the Court of History
• One Time Brother

Don Mattera quotes are some of the most quoted in South Africa’s freedom battle.

He has been quoted saying, ‘My mission is to delete pain and suffering from people’s lives.’ He has also been quoted saying, ‘The highest religion is compassion.’ His most iconic quote is his answer to bitterness, which stated that ‘We need to transmit it positively and walk with heads held up high.’

What is the definition of Don Mattera place of safety?

He refers to his place of safety as the promptly part of his life that existed before the Apartheid regime and changed everything.

He tells a story of life in the cosmopolitan suburbs in the s when life was pleasant and safe.

Is Don Mattera still alive?

Yes, he is alive and well. In his early being, he escaped death numerous times when he was a member of a gang.

His diverse heritage was derived from his Italian grandfather, Xhosa grandmother and Tswana mother. In his autobiography, Memory Is the Weaponhe writes: "Sophiatown also had its beauty; picturesque and intimate like most ghettoes Mansions and quaint cottages The rich and the broke, the exploiters and the exploited, all knitted together in a colourful fabric that ignored race or class structures.

Today, he helps reform street children and reads poems and stories to school children.

Don Mattera is an iconic figure in South Africa. He is a poet, storyteller, community activist, and former reporter. He is remembered for his contributions to the struggle for freedom during the Apartheid regime.

He is among many well-known freedom fighters who paid heavily for the freedom that many South Africans enjoy today.

Don Mattera (). South African reporter, poet and author. Born Donato Francisco Mattera in Western Native Township (now Westbury), Johannesburg, South Africa, Mattera grew up in Sophiatown. He is better acknowledged as Don Mattera.

His legacy will remain to aspire many for years to come.

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Source: Briefly News

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