Poet James Matthews was 'a giant of the literary arts' - WC Arts MEC Mackenzie

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape government has praised the late writer and anti-apartheid activist, James Matthews, acknowledging his integral role in both the province and the country.

Matthews, who was born into a working-class family in Cape Town's District Six in 1925, passed away peacefully on Saturday.

The 95-year-old began his career as a journalist after his work, which included poetry and short stories, was first published in 1946. 

Matthews’ first co-published collection of poetry, Cry Rage, became the first poetry collection to be banned by the apartheid regime in 1972.

The Western Cape MEC for sport, arts, and culture, Ricardo Mackenzie, stated that Matthews was more than just a writer and poet.

"He was still doing readings at local schools for many years. The province has lost a giant of the literary arts," said Mackenzie.