20 August 2010
The SACP has received with sadness the news of the passing away of Cde Joe Matthews, the former Deputy Minister of Safety and Security.
Cde Matthews played a significant role in the liberation movement. He was part of the generation that led to the formation of the ANC YL. He is credited with having made an important input into the drafting of the ANC’s key strategy and tactics document which was to be adopted by the Morogoro Conference, a momentous point in the liberation struggle. He served in the Central Committee of the SACP, played a leading role as an intellectual in the SACP and was indeed a repository of tremendous knowledge about the history of our liberation struggle.
Despite his challenges, including that of leaving his own movement, in the later part of his life he actively took part in SACP activities including our 80th anniversary celebrations and at last year’s 50th Anniversary Celebration of our Party publication, the African Communist. He made a moving input on this occasion, signalling his passion to pass on to younger generations his own deep understanding of the centrality of the class question in addressing South Africa’s problems.
We remember how he explained to us that in the underground operations major political and policy documents, including instructions, were circulated and comrades where just told it was from Joe. Many never knew which Joe it was - Joe Slovo, Joe Nhlanhla, Joe Modise, Joe Gqabi or Joe Matthews.
The SACP will miss his incisive intelligence and ideological astuteness. Our deepest condolences to his children, and in particular comrade Naledi Pandor, and the entire family, friends, colleagues and his comrades.
Issued by the SACP.
Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson – 082 226 1802