According to the NFVF, Matshikiza was an activist for the arts and it was always reflected in his comments, writings and his performances on stage or on the screen.

Said NFVF CEO Eddie Mbalo, "I met John for the first time at the Culture in Another South Africa (CASA) conference in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1987 and I also had the privilege of working with him during the bid for the then terrestrial broadcast license as part of the New Channel consortium. He was a forthright person who loved this country and its people. He also loved the arts dearly."

Creative brilliance

Son of the late Todd Matshikiza, he had for years shown creative brilliance in the film, theatre and television industries. He will be remembered for his outstanding acting roles in movies including Cry Freedom, There's a Zulu on my Stoep alongside Leon Schuster, and Mandela. He also portrayed brilliant acting role in the SABC3 television series Hard Copy. Matshikiza also featured in international roles alongside Angelina Jolie as David Ningpopo in Beyond Borders.

Matshikiza also wrote and directed documentaries and dramas for television. In 1999 he directed Saints, Sinners and Settlers, and also directed Ntandazo Ncingca's Aces.

The NFVF and the film industry mourn the loss of Matshikiza who displayed great craftsmanship in his work as arts practitioner: “Matshikiza's experience as columnist, actor and director is a loss to the buoyant film industry and the NFVF believes that all that he has achieved could have risen to greater heights.”

Matshikiza was also a social critic - through his column ‘With the Lid Off”, which ran from several years from the mid-90s at the Mail & Guardian, he gave insight on pertinent South African issues.

“The NFVF shall remember John as a contemporary of his time who was a multi-disciplinary arts practitioner. May his soul rest in peace,” concludes the statement.

For more:

• BuaNews: Columnist and actor, John Matshikiza dies

[17 Sep 2008 09:35]

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