Peter Madaka

Peter Madaka, 1961-2020

Community activist, educator, scholar, journalist

We are so sad to announce the passing of a dear friend, beloved teacher, and dedicated community activist, Peter Wanyama Madaka, at age 59 due to heart failure, in late December. Peter was a bright light with an infectious laugh and a warm broad smile, deeply committed to social justice and higher education. Born in Uganda-Busia, Peter spent five years in a refugee camp before coming to Canada in 1990 on a scholarship to Wilfred Laurier University, where he completed both a B.A. and a Masters Degree in Political Science. He was then a T.A. in Political Science at Wilfred Laurier, and for a Sociology of Race course at McMaster University, before moving to Toronto to earn an advanced diploma in journalism from Centennial College.   In Toronto he wrote for and helped edit Share News, which serves the Black and Caribbean community in the GTA. For more than five years, Peter was their expert on international politics and a specialist in African affairs. In spite of the challenges of making ends meet as a freelance journalist with a student loan and costly Toronto rent, and the barriers he faced as a Black man and an immigrant with no family in Canada, Peter was an indefatigable volunteer, particularly on issues like increasing the minimum wage, fair voting, and strengthening tenants rights. He also served on the riding association executive of the Parkdale-High Park NDP, and was remarkably attentive and engaging as a foot-canvasser during elections. His optimism and determination kept many of us buoyed during long campaigns, and he was thrilled to see the riding elect so many progressives, including Peggy Nash, Gord Perks, and more recently Bhutila Karpoche. In 2007, Peter became a part-time contract communications professor at George Brown College, where he was greatly admired by both his colleagues and students, who described him as humble, patient, kind, helpful, good-humoured, and understanding.  Although he spent much of his time from September to April preparing meaningful and challenging lessons, marking papers, and assisting students, Peter continued to give back locally by volunteering for five years at Parkdale Project Read, a literacy program. May to August were often challenging for Peter as he looked for jobs to help him cover expenses - which included sending money home to relatives. Peter kept a keen eye on both local and global politics, which he followed fervently and often with dismay. The election of Donald Trump and ongoing racist violence, particularly George Floyd’s murder and the repeated footage of it, terrified and traumatized him. Despite this, he maintained his ritual of rising at 5 am for a two hour walk to clear his head and combat his high blood pressure. In pre-pandemic days, before all his classes went online, Peter would dress in one of his many suits, with a collared shirt and tie, and walk from his Parkdale apartment along King Street to his 8am classes at the Centre for Business at George Brown’s St James campus and then after teaching, he’d take the 504 streetcar home. Recently, in these cold dark months, he’d been indoors on his exercise bicycle more often than out walking.   He had talked of making an effort to meet more people, and also of buying a bicycle to ride next spring along the Martin Goodman Trail. We are so lucky to have known Peter, and to have been in the glow of his light. Shine on, dear friend. You are seen and loved.

In the spring we plan to celebrate Peter with a memorial walk and shared stories. To help students and to honour Peter’s life, we've started the Peter Madaka Scholarship at George Brown College.  Donations will go directly to student scholarships (no admin fees) and you will also be issued a charitable tax receipt.   Please see the link on this page.  Donations may also be made in Peter's memory to Parkdale Project Read (the link is below).