Johannesburg: Breyten Breytenbach, the renowned South African writer, poet, and anti-apartheid activist, has passed away in Paris at the age of 85, his family confirmed.
A passionate critic of apartheid, Breytenbach was a key figure in Afrikaans literature and a vocal opponent of the system of racial segregation that oppressed South Africa’s Black majority from 1948 to 1990.
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In 1975, Breytenbach was arrested during a secretive return to his homeland and charged with treason after being accused of supporting Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC) in its efforts to resist the apartheid regime. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, based on which he wrote his famous memoir, Confessions of an Albino Terrorist, detailing his experiences and the political climate that led to his imprisonment.
After his release, Breytenbach moved to Paris, where he continued to speak out against apartheid and remained active in global anti-racism efforts. His extensive body of work, which includes poetry, novels, and paintings, often explored themes of exile, identity, and justice, deeply influencing both South African and international literature and arts communities.
"Known for his masterful poetry collections in Afrikaans, as well as autobiographical works such as 'The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist' and 'A Season in Paradise', he fearlessly addressed themes of exile, identity and justice," the family said in their statement said on Sunday.
Born in 1939 in Western Cape, South Africa, Breytenbach spent much of his life in exile but maintained a strong connection to his South African roots. He is survived by his wife, Yolande, daughter Daphnée, and two grandsons.
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Published: 25 Nov 2024, 08:32 am IST
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