Al-Qalam 
Avid writer Farouk Araie pays tribute to this legendary South African poet, activist, journalist and author of books – and our man Ismail Suder remembers this legendary personality too.
The nation has lost another iconic stalwart. Author, activist and poet Dr Omaruddin “Don” Mattera passed away recently, leaving a void.
Omaruddin forged a special place in the affections of the South African people. Over the decades he brought so much resonance, insight to the performance of his poems.
For many of us, his poetic skills will dot the literary landscape and will endure in the lines of the poems as he wished. Our nation has lost a great author, poet and a brave and fearless activist, who dedicated his time and energy to bring peace to many of our troubled townships. I was indeed fortunate to share a social platform with him many years ago.
His oratory, his poetic skills and his command of over 7 languages left me mesmerised. I was in awe of a man who was humble, a person of immense talent and one of our most gifted, and creative writers.
His fearless, powerful and intriguing personality led him to defy established convention and expectations in a unique way. A prolific writer who had a lifelong and contagious passion for poetry. He was replete with courage in the face of adversity and an inspiration to millions.
We lost an acclaimed poet and author with a unique perspective and courageous realism. He courageously raised crucial issues about human relationship between violence, poetry and language. His empathy for the downtrodden, frightened and injured individuals in a fractured society shone through his work. He was an intellectual of international and national significance, his brilliant work capturing the complex and layered experience of our troubled era.
We lost our Shakespeare in his passing. Dr. Mattera was a prolific author dominating in all branches of literature. We take immense pride in paying glowing tributes to this legendary poet for all of his stupendous achievements.
May Almighty Allah reserve a special place in Jannah for a man of his calibre and his dedication to humanity.
Remembered
On another note, seasoned Durban journalist Ismail Suder (now with Al Qalam) fondly remembered murhoom Dr Mattera when he did his internship at the Star Newspaper in Johannesburg where Dr Mattera was a senior writer.
“I was a cadet reporter at the Argus School of Journalism many years ago and was sent to the Star newspaper to experience the workings of a pulsating newsroom.
As a young cub reporter, the massive newsroom with many departments was a daunting and bewildering place to be in, especially for someone of the wrong colour. The country was at the tail-end of apartheid rule and the few brown and black faces bore testimony to a difficult era for “non-white” journalists. Amid my acute anxiety of whether I would be able to make the grade in South Africa’s leading newspaper at the time, I bumped into murhoom Don Mattera in the corridor who gave me the broadest smile and the warmest bear hug. I remember his words: “Welcome Ismail! Don’t be afraid, just do your best. If you have any problems or need anything, come to me,” he said pointing to his desk at the far end of the newsroom. It was at that moment that my fears simply melted away, knowing I had someone akin to an elder brother that would readily pick me up if I fell. Brother Don Mattera was such a man, ready to help anyone wherever and whenever he could.
May Allah Ta’alla fill his Qabr with Noor and reward him with the highest stages in Jannah, Ameen.
