The Western Cape Government has put out a statement paying tribute to him. It says he was `born in District Six in 1929. He worked for the Golden City Post, the Cape Times and Drum magazine.  

Matthews published his first poetry anthology in 1972, which was later banned under the regime of the time, before he was detained at Victor Verster prison in 1976. Through his writing, he protested against the apartheid regime and raised consciousness around oppression in South Africa. He later went on to own an art gallery in Cape Town and also established his own publishing company.’ 

Joining me in studio this morning is journalist Yazeed Kamaldien who made a short movie on James Matthews.