Matthew Nell

I was deeply saddened to hear of Matthews passing. I worked with Matthew on and off since 2004, on various housing projects. I will always remember his enormous energy, attention to detail, and astute strategic mind in our project meetings, and all with a good dollop of humour. I learnt a huge amount from him, and it was a privilege to work with Matthew. His enormous contribution to the housing and development sector in South Africa will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to Barbara and his family and his Shisaka team, my thoughts and wishes are with you at this difficult time. Rest in peace Matthew.

We are still reeling from the news that Matthew has gone and finding it impossible to believe. He was such a vibrant guy full of life, mischief, fun and wisdom. Having known Math all his life as his first cousin I remember him as a kid displaying all those qualities - bar the wisdom which came as a surprise much later when he turned into a pillar of society and he took on the role of patriarch of our extended family. But, in adulthood, Matthew still retained his wayward side: Howard and I were privileged to be invited to his team’s post Argus cycle race bashes where he displayed his best party loving self. We’d always have a wonderful lunch that carried on all afternoon with wine flowing, following Matthew’s strategy of starting with expensive bottles and then going down and down in price when everyone was beyond noticing. He would sit there for hours, holding court while we took turns to sidle up to him for a banter. Then when we were all ready to go home, Matthew would start on the spirits until Barbara had to carry him to the car. But Math had his serious side as a real mensch and loyal friend and family member. He took on responsibility for sorting out my mom's unfortunate housing situation after she was widowed and negotiated a brilliant settlement for her. And he and Barbs never forgot her birthday or the anniversary of her death. He once said to me ‘The world is divided into people who are either doers or watchers’ to which I added ‘..and givers or takers’. Matthew was a doer and a giver for sure. So so sorry to lose him. We were looking forward to meeting again in all sorts of interesting cities and having fun. Always. We wish long life to Barbara, Greg, Sam and Andrew and their partners and to Jo and Jacob and Jonathan. With love Marsha and Howard

Sending my deepest condolences to the Nell family. I hope you can take comfort in the joys of life shared together. Sending thoughts, love and peace, Lisa x

Dear Barbara and family. On behalf of myself and everyone at PPT please accept our deepest condolences. Matthew is someone who stood up, stood out and made a difference. I enjoyed working with him over many years on several initiatives. I loved his energy, creativity and intellect. He was always prepared to dive deeply into issues and take the time to find the best solutions. His contributions over the years are many. He will be sorely missed by his many colleagues and friends in the developmental space in S.A. You shall be in our thoughts and prayers. From Mark Misselhorn and all the staff and Trustees of Project Preparation Trust.

Our deepest sympathy to Barbara and the whole family. We remember Matthew with great fondness. You all are in our thoughts at this sad time.

So sorry to hear this news. Sending love and light to the family at this time. It is very difficult to let go of someone who holds such a huge part of your heart. Love all the Moyles

We were so sad to hear of Matthew's passing. We have many wonderful memories of our times together. Our sincere condolences to Barbara and family.

I met Matthew in 1990 after I wrote a very critical piece in the Sunday Times criticising him and Bob Tucker for launching the Home Loan Guarantee Fund and unwittingly exposing more desperate poor people to unscrupulous housing contractors. He took the criticism well, so well, that consumer protection soon became an integral part of housing delivery. What followed was 12 years of various forms of positive collaboration with Matthew from which I learnt a great deal until I left RSA in 2002 for Perth. I caught up with Matthew more recently in about 2016, .when Barbara was winning the world masters walking championship in Perth. He informed me of all the major housing developments since I had left and remained as positive as ever despite the overwhelming negativity that I heard about RSA. He was always remarkably positive- glass half full. Long life to Barbara and family – Brian Leveson