South Africa’s business fraternity mourns death of Peter Matlare He died on Sunday at the age of 61 from COVID-19-related complications. Peter Matlare. Picture: Absa/YouTube. He died on Sunday at the age of 61 from COVID-19 related complications. He also served as Primedia CEO. The business community has lost a giant; Matlare has been hailed for his integrity, impeccable track record and professionalism. The South African Chamber of Commerce believes that Matlare played a pivotal role in ensuring local businesses thrive on the African continent. The chamber’s Mto Xulu said Matlare’s passing was a great loss: “His passing leaves a great dent in the work that we are doing and integrating the African economy and we pass our condolences to his family and his colleagues at Absa.”