Kaiser Matanzima
Encyclopedia
Kaiser Matanzima was a former leader of the Transkei
in South Africa.
, a nephew of Nelson Mandela
, Matanzima received the name Daliwonga upon reaching manhood as an "isikhahlelo" (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.
s, a breakaway and subservient group to the Thembus, Matanzima's support of the South African government's Bantu Authorities Act
(1951), 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).
.
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. According to an article published in Time Magazine at the time, though Transkei declared independence theoretically as a “free state”, Matanzima ruled the territory as a de facto puppet-state dictator, banning local opposition parties and buying at subsided prices Transkei farmlands offered by the South African government.
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.
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.
, 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.
Matanzima's grandson, King Lwandile Zwelenkosi Matanzima
, ruler of Western Thembuland of Eastern Cape
, died on 22 May 2010.
Transkei
The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...
in South Africa.
Biography
Born in Qamata, Eastern CapeEastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
, a nephew of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
, Matanzima received the name Daliwonga upon reaching manhood as an "isikhahlelo" (praise name). It means "Maker of Majesty". Matanzima studied law at Fort Hare University and completed his articles in the Transkei
Transkei
The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...
capital, Mthatha
Mthatha
Mthatha is the main town of the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality in Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The town has an airport, previously known by the name K. D. Matanzima Airport after former leader Kaiser Matanzima....
, in 1948. He never practised law however, instead involving himself in Transkei politics.
Public service
Made paramount chief of the Emigrant ThembuThembu
The Thimbu are one of the handful of nations and population groups which speak Xhosa in South Africa. In Xhosa the name is abaThembu, aba- being a common prefix for peoples....
s, a breakaway and subservient group to the Thembus, Matanzima's support of the South African government's Bantu Authorities Act
Bantu Authorities Act
The Bantu Authorities Act, 1951 was one of the pillars of apartheid in South Africa during the apartheid era. This legislation, succeeding the Native Affairs Act The Bantu Authorities Act, 1951 (Act No. 68 of 1951; subsequently renamed the Black Authorities Act, 1951) was one of the pillars of...
(1951), 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).
Controversy
Mandela condemned Matanzima's de facto support of apartheid, and in his 1975 book 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 CongressAfrican National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
.
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. According to an article published in Time Magazine at the time, though Transkei declared independence theoretically as a “free state”, Matanzima ruled the territory as a de facto puppet-state dictator, banning local opposition parties and buying at subsided prices Transkei farmlands offered by the South African government.
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
South African Defence Force
The South African Defence Force was the South African armed forces from 1957 until 1994. The former Union Defence Force was renamed to the South African Defence Force in the Defence Act of 1957...
members seconded to the Transkei Army leave Transkei
Transkei
The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...
by 31 March. But he soon backed down in the face of Transkei's dependence on South African economic aid.
Power
In 1979 Matanzima became State President, with his brother George as Prime Minister. Their approach included gaoling protesters and banning such opposition parties as, in 1980, the Democratic Progressive Party. That party's leader, ThembuThembu
The Thimbu are one of the handful of nations and population groups which speak Xhosa in South Africa. In Xhosa the name is abaThembu, aba- being a common prefix for peoples....
King Sabata Dalindyebo, was convicted of "violating the dignity" as President of Matanzima, but escaped to Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
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
Robben Island
Robben Island is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 km west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, South Africa. The name is Dutch for "seal island". Robben Island is roughly oval in shape, 3.3 km long north-south, and 1.9 km wide, with an area of 5.07 km². It is flat and only a...
, fearing that such a meeting would legitimise the bantustans to the international community.
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 GeorgeGeorge Matanzima
Chief George Mzivubu Mathanzima was a leader of the Transkei bantustan in South Africa. He and his brother, Kaiser co-founded and led the Transkei National Independence Party.-References:...
, 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
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
's eulogy for him, and Mandela's speaking warmly of Matanzima's role as a Thembu elder.
Matanzima's grandson, King Lwandile Zwelenkosi Matanzima
Lwandile Zwelenkosi Matanzima
Lwandile Zwelenkosi Matanzima was a South African clan leader and ruler and king of Western Thembuland.Matanzima was the grandson of the former President of Transkei, Kaiser Matanzima....
, ruler of Western Thembuland of Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
, died on 22 May 2010.