George Matanzima

Chief George Mzimvubu Matanzima, often misspelled as Mathanzima (26 December 1918 – 10 November 2000) was a leader of the Transkei bantustan in South Africa, a young brother of Kaiser and a grandnephew of Nelson Mandela. He and his brother, Kaiser co-founded and led the Transkei National Independence Party. Mathanzima was appointed as Prime Minister of Transkei after his brother became president. He served as prime minister from 20 February 1979 to 24 September 1987. Bantu Holomisa forced his resignation and exile in October 1987. Stella Sigcau succeeded him as prime minister, but Holomisa forced her out of office in a coup d'état and took power himself in December 1987.

Government crackdown The independence of the Transkei was widely rejected by critics of the Nationalist government worldwide. Some of the most vocal critics came from within the Transkei itself, from the leaders of the Black Consciousness Movement rejecting the move for statehood.

In the lead up to the independence-day celebrations of 1976, Matanzima detained political activists and cultural artists under Proclamation 400, an act similar in function to the Apartheid government's Terrorism Act. The 1980s saw an even more severe crackdown by Matanzima, arresting journalists and students who were vocal about the Transkei government. This led to an investigation over the accepting of $500,000 in kickbacks from a Lebanese businessman who needed to secure a housing contract in the Transkei. By this time Matanzima had been elected president of the Transkei National Independence Party.

The relationship between the Matanzima brothers soured when a dispute over party candidate selections emerged. Kaizer Matanzima testified against his brother during the 1987 Alexander Commission of Inquiry, headed by Judge Alexander. The judge made recommendations that Matanzima's case be referred to the Attorney General. As a result, George Matanzima banished his brother Kaizer Matanzima from the Transkei.