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Hip-hopping: The Back to the City Festival will take place in Johannesburg on 11 October. Photo: Supplied

Diary: Back to the City Festival; Babalwa Mentjies; A Protea Is Not a Flower

Your essential dose of art and culture

Don Mattera at the memorial for musician Hugh Masekela in Johannesburg in 2018. (Gulshan Khan)

Don Mattera: man of pain and struggle, love and hope

A poet, writer and editor, Don Mattera was a towering figure for many creatives. He was a man of many names who showed that the elements of one’s heritage do not have to live in…

(John McCann/M&G)

Farewell to Azania’s everyman literary icon Don Mattera

The poet, writer, artist and activist, who made rubbish of race, left his mark on all aspects of our lives

South African poet and author Don Mattera.

From the archives: Don Mattera tells Capetonians to live Madiba’s message

Celebrated South African writer Don Mattera has addressed a crowd in Khayelitsha in remembrance of former president Nelson Mandela.

Transdisciplinary: Professor Bhekizizwe Peterson enjoyed challenging young people’s views. (Photo: Nom’Ay Matola)

Bheki Peterson: Pursuing radical epistemological thought with an understated erudition

The soft-spoken scholar had a towering impact on scholarship, artistic work, teaching practice and activism

‘Soweto’: Musician and Black Consciousness member Molefe Pheto and other group members were received by Nigerian officials as “heroes from the frontline”. (George Hallet)

From festival to John Vorster: Molefe Pheto on attending Festac ’77 uninvited

The musician and activist relives the political import of Festac ’77

It is no surprise that poetry of Mongane Wally Serote (pictured), Mafika Pascal Gwala and Oswald Mtshali was read at anti-apartheid rallies — these poems no doubt aroused emotions but, more importantly, in the lines of the poems, citizens heard their voices and saw their plights. (Paul Botes/M&G)

South Africa has a new Poet Laureate

The work of acclaimed writer Mongane Wally Serote reveals the point at which poetry meets politics

Lifetime’s struggle gathers dust

Lefifi Tladi’s dream to preserve the memory of truly South African art for future generations to draw on is stillborn

South African poet and author Don Mattera.

From the archives: Don Mattera tells Capetonians to live Madiba’s message

Celebrated South African writer Don Mattera has addressed a crowd in Khayelitsha in remembrance of former president Nelson Mandela.

Mutabaruka aka Allan Hope still fiercely affirms black pride

Dis poet is still relevant

The expressive poet Mutabaruka chats to Percy Zvomuya ahead of this year’s Urban Voices Festival.