James Matthews writes back to the ruling party

By Chelsea Haith

At the age of 86 James Matthews, struggle poet and activist against Apartheid, has not mellowed out one bit. “I’m still a dissident poet,” he said, his hand shaking as he held the microphone, speaking at the launch of his latest volume of poetry Gently Stirs My Soul on 28 April.

Wearing a black beret and leather jacket, the young man Matthews once was is still there beneath his grey dreadlocks, making jokes and charming the ladies. Matthews is a “child of the Bokaap” and his voice rings with the high wind of the berg, tempered by age, but is no less strong or self-assured in his delivery. When asked what he believes in, he immediately responded, “Myself.”