Kaiser Matanzima
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Kaiser Daliwonga Matanzima (June 15 1915 - June 15 2003) was a former leader of the then-bantustan of Transkei in South Africa; besides various formal titles he held, he is often thought of as Chief Matanzima, reflecting a title traditional with his ethnic group.
A member of Thembu royalty (he was Nelson Mandela’s nephew), Matanzima was born in Qamata. Initially studying to become a missionary, Matanzima gained a degree in Roman Law and Political Science at the University of South Africa in 1939, and his Law degree in 1948.
Matanzima's support of the Bantu Act (which led to the establishment of the bantustans) soured the friendship between him and Mandela; they were also rivals for the affections of Winnie Madikizela. They remained critical of each others actions throughout the rest of their lives: Mandela condemned Matanzima's de facto support of apartheid, and in his 1975 tract "Independence my Way", Matanzima argued that liberation would come through a federation of black states, such as Transkei, rather than through liberation movements like the Mandela led African National Congress.
Matanzima became a member of the United Transkeian Territorial Council in 1955 and an Executive Council member of the newly created Transkeian Territorial Authority (TTA) in 1956. In 1961 he graduated to Chairman of the TTA, survived an assassination attempt in December 1962 by members of the Pan Africanist Congress, and in 1963 was an obvious candidate for Chief Minister of the newly formed Transkeian Legislative Assembly. His prominence was bolstered in 1966 when he inherited the title of Paramount Chief of the Emigrant Thembu; he founded the Transkei National Independence Party and led it to election victories in 1968 and 1973, being sworn in as Prime Minister when Transkei became the first bantustan to gain nominal independence in 1976.
Matanzima clashed with the South African government over various issues, mostly connected with territorial demands made by Matanzima. This led to his announcement in 1978 that Transkei would break all diplomatic ties with South Africa, including the non-aggression pact between them. However, Matanzima soon backed down in the face of Transkei's dependence on South African economic aid.
In 1979 Matanzima became State President, with his brother George as Prime Minister. Their approach included gaoling protestors and banning of such opposition parties as, in 1980, the Democratic Progressive Party. That party's leader, Thembu King Sabata Dalindyebo, was convicted of "violating the dignity" as President of Matanzima, but escaped to Zambia and joined the ANC.
Mandela's father-in-law was a member of the Transkei cabinet, and Matanzima attempted to persuade Mandela to accept exile in the Transkei in lieu of imprisonment. Mandela not only refused, but declined to see Matanzima during his own imprisonment on Robben Island, fearing that such a meeting would legitimise the bantustans in the international community.
On 20 February 1986, faced with South Africa's evidence of corruption, Matanzima was forced to retire as President. He was succeeded by his brother George, but the two fell out and Matanzima himself was temporarily detained in the Transkei gaols in 1987; upon release, he was restricted to Qamata.
Matanzima died in Queenstown his 88th birthday. He received an official funeral, but not a state one as former allies and supporters had hoped. The continued mixed feelings toward him in South Africa were reflected in President Thabo Mbeki's eulogy for him, and Mandela's speaking warmly of Matanzima's role as a Thembu elder.