Sept 16, 2008 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation has learned with great sadness of the death, on Monday night, of author, journalist, playwright and actor John Matshikiza.
“John was a friend of the Foundation who supported our work and would often offer advice, as well as criticism, where necessary,” said Verne Harris, Memory Programme Manager at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
This independent voice was what Matshikiza brought back from the UK when he returned in 1991. The son of the legendary writer and musician Todd Matshikiza, he was born in South Africa but raised in exile. This talented man, who gave back to South Africa in so many ways, will probably be remembered best for this independent voice, which could be heard in newspaper columns, at theatres, in coffee bars and in restaurants. It was, therefore, poignant that his final words were expressed at a restaurant in his favourite hang-out of Melville, in Johannesburg.
“John’s words will live on in his written and dramatic work and his critical voice will serve as a reminder to all of us of the freedom of expression this country struggled so hard to achieve,” said Harris.
“True to his own character and principles, Mr Mandela also cherished this aspect of John’s personality. After a function at the Foundation where John spoke, Madiba approached him and said, ‘You young people, you must keep on troubling us’,” Harris added.
Our deepest condolences to John’s family, friends and colleagues.