A committed man of the people
Matthew Goniwe was so popular among learners in Cradock that when they learnt of the government's plan to bar him from returning to his teaching post, they went on an indefinite strike demanding his return.
Goniwe had been teaching in Graaff-reinet, about 150km from his hometown, and wanted to return to Cradock to be with his family. The authorities would not allow it and gave him an ultimatum to either return to his post in Graaff-reinet or consider himself fired. He defied the ultimatum and was dismissed.
The learners joined his battle against the apartheid authorities by staying away from school. But Goniwe, who had the best interest of the community and students at heart, tried to persuade the learners to return to class. They refused.
Goniwe's former colleague and long-time friend Sizakele John recalled those difficult days. As an inspector at the Department of Education and Training, John persuaded his employers to hire the activist who had served a five-year prison term for political activities.
Goniwe was arrested in July 1976 while teaching in the Transkei and was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of violating the Suppression of Communism Act. He used his time in jail to study and obtained a BA degree through Unisa, majoring in political science and education.
John says that upon on his release, schools in the Eastern Cape were reticent to employ Goniwe out of fear they would be harassed by the government's Special Branch. But having grown up with him and knowing his prowess as a teacher, John persuaded the departtment to give him a six-month trial.
His work was so impressive that the authorities recommended that he be appointed principal before the probation period ended. He did not take up this position.
After completing his teacher training in the late 1960s, Goniwe arrived to teach at a school where John was employed as a maths and science teacher. John handed over the two subjects to Goniwe on the principal's condition that John would supervise Goniwe's work. “As his supervisor, I found him to be very capable, very industrious, very serious in his work.”
The duo's friendship transcended beyond the classroom. Goniwe was a popular amateur boxer and political activist while John was a teacher and active leader in the Anglican church.
John had the utmost respect for Goniwe. They had grown up together in Cradock's Lingelihle township and Goniwe's death in June 1985 left John shattered.
“It upset me in a way that I cannot describe, I had lost a friend because we were very close to each other, and this was known to his family,” he says.
John says one key lesson today's generation can take from Goniwe's life, is a commitment to steer the course.
“What Matthew taught us, is that if you do something for the nation in the interest of the community, you should apply yourself and apply your mind, fully. The lesson that we should take from Matthew is that if you make a decision, or promise to take a job, you must use all your energy, and use every atom in your body to do it to the satisfaction of any reasonable person.”