Joe Matthews (politician)
Encyclopedia
Vincent Joseph Gaobakwe Matthews (June 17 1929 – August 19, 2010) was a South Africa
n activist and politician.
Matthews was the son of Z. K. Matthews, an early leader of the African National Congress
(ANC). He was born on June 17, 1929 in the port city of Durban
. Matthews completed his primary education at Lovedale Mission Station
in the Eastern Cape
while his father was a lecturer at the nearby University of Fort Hare
. At the age of 15, he joined the African National Congress Youth League
in 1944. Matthews matriculated in Johannesburg
in 1947 and earned a BA from the University of Fort Hare
in 1952 and a LLB from the University of London
in the United Kingdom in 1956. Both he and his father were charged with treason
in 1956 along with 154 other anti-apartheid activists, all of whom including the Matthews, were acquitted. He passed the advocates' admission exam in 1957 and became an attorney of the Supreme Court
a year later. In 1960, he set up a practice in Durban before moving to neighboring Lesotho
. While in exile due to apartheid policies in South Africa, Matthews became an assistant Attorney General
of neighboring Botswana
. From 1986 to 1991, Matthews lived in the Netherlands. He returned to South Africa a year later. He was active with the African National Congress from 1944 to 1992, when he left it to join the opposition Inkatha Freedom Party
.
Matthews was a member of the Parliament of South Africa
with the Inkatha Freedom Party from the first democratic elections in 1994
until the 2004 elections
, when he chose not to stand. During the Government of National Unity
period from 1994 to 1999, he was the Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, while the ANC's Sydney Mufamadi
was head of the ministry.
Matthews died on August 19, 2010 at the Milpark Hospital
in Johannesburg.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n activist and politician.
Matthews was the son of Z. K. Matthews, an early leader of the African National Congress
African 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...
(ANC). He was born on June 17, 1929 in the port city of Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. Matthews completed his primary education at Lovedale Mission Station
Lovedale (South Africa)
Lovedale was a mission station and educational institute in the VictoriaEast division of the Cape Province, South Africa...
in the 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...
while his father was a lecturer at the nearby University of Fort Hare
University of Fort Hare
The University of Fort Hare is a public university in Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It was a key institution in higher education for black Africans from 1916 to 1959. It offered a Western-style, academically excellent education to students from across sub-Saharan Africa, creating a black...
. At the age of 15, he joined the African National Congress Youth League
African National Congress Youth League
The African National Congress Youth League is the youth wing of the African National Congress.-Foundation:Its foundation in 1944 by Nick Gombart, Ashley Peter Mda, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo marked the rise of a new generation of leadership of South Africa's black African...
in 1944. Matthews matriculated in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
in 1947 and earned a BA from the University of Fort Hare
University of Fort Hare
The University of Fort Hare is a public university in Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It was a key institution in higher education for black Africans from 1916 to 1959. It offered a Western-style, academically excellent education to students from across sub-Saharan Africa, creating a black...
in 1952 and a LLB from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
in the United Kingdom in 1956. Both he and his father were charged with treason
Treason Trial
The Treason Trial was a trial in which 156 people, including Nelson Mandela, were arrested in a raid and accused of treason in South Africa in 1956....
in 1956 along with 154 other anti-apartheid activists, all of whom including the Matthews, were acquitted. He passed the advocates' admission exam in 1957 and became an attorney of the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of South Africa
The Supreme Court of South Africa was a superior court of law in South Africa from 1910 to 1996. It was made up of various provincial and local divisions with jurisdiction over specific geographical areas, and an Appellate Division which was the highest appellate court in the country...
a year later. In 1960, he set up a practice in Durban before moving to neighboring Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
. While in exile due to apartheid policies in South Africa, Matthews became an assistant Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of neighboring Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. From 1986 to 1991, Matthews lived in the Netherlands. He returned to South Africa a year later. He was active with the African National Congress from 1944 to 1992, when he left it to join the opposition Inkatha Freedom Party
Inkatha Freedom Party
The Inkatha Freedom Party is a political party in South Africa. Since its founding, it has been led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. It is currently the fourth largest party in the National Assembly of South Africa.-History:...
.
Matthews was a member of the Parliament of South Africa
Parliament of South Africa
The Parliament of South Africa is South Africa's legislature and under the country's current Constitution is composed of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces....
with the Inkatha Freedom Party from the first democratic elections in 1994
South African general election, 1994
The South African general election of 1994 was an election held in South Africa to mark the end of apartheid, therefore also the first held with universal adult suffrage. The election was conducted under the direction of the Independent Electoral Commission .Millions queued in lines over a three...
until the 2004 elections
South African general election, 2004
Legislative elections were held in South Africa on Wednesday, 14 April 2004. The African National Congress of President Thabo Mbeki, which came to power after the end of the apartheid system in 1994, was re-elected with an increased majority....
, when he chose not to stand. During the Government of National Unity
Government of National Unity (South Africa)
Between April 27, 1994 and February 3, 1997 South Africa was governed under the terms of the interim Constitution of South Africa. Clause 88 of the interim Constitution required that any party holding twenty or more seats in the National Assembly could claim one or more cabinet portfolios and enter...
period from 1994 to 1999, he was the Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, while the ANC's Sydney Mufamadi
Sydney Mufamadi
Fholisani Sydney Mufamadi is a South African politician. He was Minister of Safety and Security from 1994 to 1999 and Minister of Provincial and Local Government from 1999 to 2008.-Early life:...
was head of the ministry.
Matthews died on August 19, 2010 at the Milpark Hospital
Netcare Milpark Hospital
Natcare Milpark Hospital is a private hospital in Milpark Johannesburg, owned by Netcare Limited. It has a level 1 accredited trauma unit, and cardiology and cardio-thoracic services. It has 342 beds, of which 90 are used for high care and intensive care. . Nelson Mandela was treated at the...
in Johannesburg.