Don Mattera Foundation welcomes renaming of street and facility after acclaimed icon

The Don Mattera Legacy Foundation (DMLF) has welcomed the proposed renaming of an Eldorado Park Street and a Westbury recreation centre after its patron, Dr Don Mattera.

The award-winning poet and author, former Wits University student and #FeesMustFall victim, Mthokozisi Ntumba are some of the names being touted by the City of Joburg with an honour to have streets and other institutions named after them.

On Monday, the City called on residents to rally behind its public comment on the proposed renaming of De Beer Street in Braamfontein to Mthokozisi Ntumba Street, in honour of the late Mthokozisi Ntumba as well as the renaming of Main Road in Eldorado Park to be re-named Don Mattera Road and Westbury Recreation Centre to be re-named Don Mattera Recreation Centre.

Other names on the shortlist are sporting legend Donnie Gilmour and teenage shooting victim Nathaniel Julies, whose life was tragically cut short in 2020.

Julies is being considered for the renaming of Nikkel Crescent in Eldorado Park to be re-named Nathaniel Julies Crescent while Gilmour will have his name immortalised through the renaming of Mabaleng Sports Ground in Westbury, set to be called Donnie Gilmour Sports Ground.

City of Joburg spokesperson, Nthatisi Modingoane said the re-naming proposals for honouring community heroes and icons in Eldorado Park and Westbury are being opened for public comment in the city’s bid to help celebrate these figures and etch them in public memory.

Spokesperson for the DMLF, Elvis Presslin, indicated that the foundation is thrilled by this proposal adding that since 2022, the foundation, its committee and board members worked tirelessly with City officials to make this renewing process a reality.

“The DMLF is thrilled that finally the City of Johannesburg is on course to rename a street and a precinct in the name of one of the greatest sons of soil, author, poet community activists, the Bard of the Liberation, the late Dr Donato Francesco Mattera, affectionately known as Bra Don Mattera. This, for his immense contribution to the Apartheid Struggle as a community activist as well as to the world of literature, poetry and the arts,” said Presslin.

A celebrated author, poet, journalist and anti-apartheid activist, Mattera (1935 to 2022) is among the most revered South African writers and cultural figures.

Besides being a celebrated author and poet, he also founded the Union of Black journalists and wrote at various times for The Star, The Sunday Times, The Weekly Mail, and The Sowetan.

Athlete and local hero Donnie Gilmour (1934-1996) is remembered for an outstanding football career, marking his mark at club, provincial and national level as a talented striker while Julies, a 16-year-old boy with down syndrome was fatally shot by SAPS officers in 2020, close to his home on Nikkel Crescent.

This incident has over the years, brought a wave of public outrage and sympathy, and a petition calling for the prosecution of those involved in the shooting was signed by over 120 000 people.

Modingoane indicated that the proposed renaming of streets and facilities in Eldorado Park and Westbury will be subject to public consultation, in accordance with the City of Johannesburg Policy on naming of Streets and Public Places.

“The process of naming or renaming must be undertaken in a consultative manner, and this must be clearly demonstrated before a final decision can be taken by Council,” he said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za