Kaiser Matanzima
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Kaiser Daliwonga Matanzima (June 15, 1915 - June 15, 2003) was a former leader of the then-bantustan of Transkei in South Africa.
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[edit] Biography
Born in Qamata, a nephew of Nelson Mandela, Matanzima received the name Daliwonga upon reaching manhood as an "inkahlelo" (praise name). It means "Maker of Majesty". Matanzima studied law at Fort Hare University and completed his articles in the Transkei capital, Mthatha, in 1948. He never practised law however, instead involving himself in Transkei politics.
[edit] Public Service
Made paramount chief of the Emigrant Thembus, a breakaway and subservient group to the Thembus, Matanzima's support of the South African government's Bantu Authorities Act (1953), which looked to foster traditional African leadership structures, gave the Act credibility in the eyes of many chiefs but saw him part ways with Mandela politically (although the two initially remained friends, with Matanzima acting as best man at Mandela's wedding).
[edit] Controversy
Mandela condemned Matanzima's de facto support of apartheid, and in his 1975 tract Independence my Way, Matanzima argued that liberation would come through a federation of black states, such as Transkei, rather than through liberation movements like the Mandela-led African National Congress.
Matanzima became a member of the United Transkeian Territorial Council in 1955 and an Executive Council member of the newly created Transkeian Territorial Authority (TTA) in 1956. In 1961 he graduated to Chairman of the TTA, survived an assassination attempt in December 1962 by members of the Pan Africanist Congress, and in 1963 was an obvious candidate for Chief Minister of the newly formed Transkeian Legislative Assembly. Matanzima founded the Transkei National Independence Party, led it to election victories in 1968 and 1973, and was sworn in as Prime Minister in 1976 when Transkei became the first bantustan to gain nominal independence.
Matanzima clashed with the South African government over various issues, mostly connected with territorial demands made by Matanzima. This led to his announcement on 2 February 1978 that Transkei would break all diplomatic ties with South Africa, including the non-aggression pact between them. He ordered that all South African Defence Force members seconded to the Transkei Army leave Transkei by 31 March. But he soon backed down in the face of Transkei's dependence on South African economic aid.
[edit] Power
In 1979 Matanzima became State President, with his brother George as Prime Minister. Their approach included gaoling protestors and banning such opposition parties as, in 1980, the Democratic Progressive Party. That party's leader, Thembu King Sabata Dalindyebo, was convicted of "violating the dignity" as President of Matanzima, but escaped to Zambia and joined the ANC.
Mandela's father-in-law was a member of the Transkei cabinet, and Matanzima attempted to persuade Mandela to accept exile in Transkei in lieu of imprisonment. Mandela not only refused, but declined to see Matanzima during his imprisonment on Robben Island, fearing that such a meeting would legitimise the bantustans to the international community.
[edit] Decline
On 20 February 1986, faced with South Africa's evidence of corruption, Matanzima was forced to retire as President. He was succeeded by his brother George, but the two fell out and Matanzima himself was temporarily detained in the Transkei gaols in 1987; upon release, he was restricted to Qamata.
Matanzima died in Queenstown on his 88th birthday. He received an official funeral, but not a state one as former allies and supporters had hoped. The continued mixed feelings toward him in South Africa were reflected in President Thabo Mbeki's eulogy for him, and Mandela's speaking warmly of Matanzima's role as a Thembu elder.
