South African Literary Icon James Matthews Passes Away at 95
Renowned poet, writer, and publisher James Matthews has passed away at the age of 95 in Cape Town, South Africa. Matthews was a prominent figure in the country’s literary scene, known for his prolific writing and unwavering commitment to social justice.
According to Latiefa Mobara, Press Council executive director, Matthews was a mentor and inspiration to many. "He was as fit as a fiddle and a prolific poet, who would write on the spot wherever he was with a glass of red wine in hand," she said. "James walked everywhere and was a mischievous free-spirited bohemian. May his artist soul explore eternal creativity."
Born on May 29, 1929, in District Six, Cape Town, Matthews grew up in a working-class family. He attended Prestwich Primary School and Trafalgar High School in Cape Town before pursuing various jobs, including as a newspaper boy, office messenger, clerk, and telephonist. Matthews’ writing career began at the age of 17, and he went on to contribute to several national publications, including the Golden City Post, Cape Times, and Drum.
Matthews’ first poetry collection, Cry Rage (co-authored with Gladys Thomas), was published in 1972 and was banned by the apartheid regime, making it the first poetry collection to be targeted. He was detained by the government in 1976 and denied a passport for 13 years.
Despite the challenges he faced, Matthews continued to write and publish his work. He established the first black-founded art gallery in South Africa, Gallery Afrique, in 1972, and the first black-owned publishing house, BLAC (Black Literature Arts and Culture), in 1974. Although BLAC closed due to government harassment, Matthews founded the publishing house Realities in 2000.
Matthews’ influence extended beyond South Africa. In 1984, he visited the University of Iowa, where he met with students who were inspired by his descriptions of the apartheid regime’s horrors. The students went on to organize a protest, occupying the main administration building and convincing university authorities to divest from companies doing business in South Africa.
As a founding member and patron of the Congress of South African Writers (Cosaw), Matthews was a champion of literary freedom and social justice. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of writers, poets, and activists.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has expressed its condolences to Matthews’ family and the journalism fraternity, saying, "We bow our heads in sorrow for the loss of such a prolific writer, poet, and publisher as Matthews. His words and wisdom will continue to inspire generations."
