25 January 2024
Indian Ocean island nation, Seychelles has been thrown into mourning with the sudden passing of Tony Mathiot. According to a report on Seychelles Nation, the renowned historian, whose encyclopedic knowledge of recorded events that happened on the island, and his ability to locate them made him famous among journalists, authors, students and even the ordinary Seychellois, left this world late yesterday afternoon 24 January 2024.
In a State House report, monitored on Seychelles News Agency, Seychellois President Wavel Ramkalawan has sent a condolence message following the passing of Seychellois historian and researcher, Tony Mathiot. President Ramkalawan acknowledged the extensive contributions made by Mathiot throughout his career.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Tony Mathiot an avid Seychellois researcher, writer and historian. His contributions to the preservation of our history and extensive cultural knowledge were beyond exceptional and he will be sorely missed by all. On behalf of the country I present our sincere condolences to his family and friends during this time of great loss,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Alain St. Ange, a former Minister responsible for Culture said on hearing the sudden passing on Mr. Mathiot, that the contributions he made throughout his career will be remembered by each and every Seychellois. “Today, the country as a whole is saddened by the sudden passing of Mr. Tony Mathiot.
“His knowledge of our historical past and his willingness to share his extensive knowledge as a Seychellois experienced researcher, writer and one of the top historians of our islands remains difficult to accept. As a former Minister responsible for Culture I worked closely with Tony Mathiot. His contributions with old documents made to every local author were always so appreciated. He will be sorely missed by all,” St. Ange stated.
According to a Police Communique on Wednesday, the body of Mathiot, who was 61 years old, was discovered unresponsive in a road behind the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the capital, Victoria. The police were alerted to the incident on Wednesday at 5.30 pm after a family member found Mathiot. He was certified dead by the police pathologist. The police have started an initial investigation while waiting for the autopsy report.
Cecile Kalebi, permanent secretary within the Seychelles National Institute of Culture, Heritage and the Arts, told Seychelles NATION she was in a state of shock. “We lost Norbert Salomon a few weeks ago and now Tony (Mathiot). This is a huge loss.”
As for Tony’s work colleague Anne-Marie Banane, she said: “Tony was himself an archive. He was always willing to share whatever information he had gathered and he was ready to help everyone who came to the Archives. He even encouraged students to study history and to become historians adding that “I will be gone some day and you have to take the baton.”