[Photo: Don Materra with the #Africa4Palestine team a few years back]
The human rights NGO, #Africa4Palestine, is greatly saddened over the passing of South African anti-apartheid icon, world renowned poet, author and activist – Donato Francisco Mattera, better known as Don Mattera. Materra passed away today in his Johannesburg home at the age of 86.
We are grieving the loss of one of the most wonderful human beings to know – warm, compassionate and ridiculously kind.
Comrade Don was not only committed to the fight against Apartheid in South Africa, but was a sterling Palestine human rights advocate and published several writings and poems dedicated to the Palestinian struggle against Apartheid Israel.
In his famous poem “Songs of Palestine”, he wrote:
“Today, when the feet and hands of Africa are still bound by ethnic enmity, and most states enjoy sovereignty and belong to the global family but you, beautiful, beloved Palestine are orphaned by the tyranny of Israel and their Martian masters”.
We are gutted to have lost a towering giant in our Palestine solidarity community as we had always hoped and prayed that Comrade Don and his generation would live to see a free Palestine in their lifetime.
He leaves us with renewed strength and vigour in our campaign for the complete destruction of Apartheid in Israel. It is in his memory and legacy that our campaigns will be tougher and more zealous.
Comrade Don’s contribution in our lives cannot be quantified, so as his contribution to the lives of Palestinians. In a recent interview, when asked what he would like to be remembered as he replied: “I would simply like to be remembered as a man who loved his country and his people.” Such was Comrade Don’s humility and compassion.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Don Mattera’s family and loved ones, Hamaba Kahle Mkhonto!
ISSUED BY TISETSO MAGAMA ON BEHALF OF AFRICA4PALESTINE
Africa4Palestine Director, Muhammed Desai: +27 (0) 84 211 9988
Africa4Palestine Spokesperson, Tisetso Magama: +27 (0) 61 414 6348
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