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Renowned South African writer, poet, artist and activist Breyten Breytenbach passed away peacefully in Paris on Sunday morning, 24 November, with his wife by his side, reports Cape {town} Etc.

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The family of the legendary wordsmith announced his passing in a statement, which was shared on Breytenbach Sentrum’s Facebook page.

Commemorating Breytenbach’s decades-long contribution to the arts, the family said his works touched and influenced literature and the arts both locally and abroad.

‘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 statement read.

‘Breytenbach, a sworn opponent of apartheid, joined Okhela, a separate ideological wing of the ANC in exile, and was taken prisoner on his clandestine return to South Africa in 1975. Despite this, his artistic and literary contributions have flourished, solidifying his place as one of South Africa’s most courageous and visionary figures.’

In the late 1970s, Breyton was imprisoned for nine years on a charge of treason for his anti-apartheid activities. Released in 1982, he settled in France with his Vietnamese wife, Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien, where they became citizens.

Despite imprisonment, he wrote five volumes of poetry and prose and continued using his artistry to critique apartheid South Africa.

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The last of the five siblings to meet death, Breytenbach was born in Bonnievale in 1939. While having spent much of his life abroad, he remained deeply connected to his South African roots, according to the statement.

‘Interestingly, since Breytenbach’s 80th birthday, he had been exploring denouement towards death and expressing his uncomfortable discoveries through his art and writings,’ his family shared.

‘In this way, he had the courage to give form to the forever formlessness from which we come and to which we shall surely return.’

In the statement, the Breytenbach family expressed gratitude for the support, and condolences received and requested privacy during this difficult time as they finalise funeral arrangements, details of which will be shared at a later stage.

Taking to social media, tributes have already begun pouring in as news of the monumental loss spreads:

Breyten is survived by his wife, Yolande, daughter Daphnée and two grandsons.

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Picture: Jaco Marais / Gallo Images

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