Breyten Breytenbach
Cape Town - The literary world is mourning the death of Breyten Breytenbach, a celebrated poet and activist, who passed away at 85, leaving behind a profound legacy.
Breytenbach died peacefully on Sunday in Paris, his daughter confirmed.
Revered not only as a poet but also a painter and passionate activist, Breytenbach’s influence transcended the realms of his artistic pursuits, embedding him firmly in the collective consciousness of South African history.
Leading the outpouring of tributes was President Cyril Ramaphosa, who recognised Breytenbach as a humanist whose noteworthy literary assault on apartheid echoed through bookstores, domestic shelves, lecture halls, art galleries, and theatre stages worldwide.
“Our sadness affords us another opportunity to pay tribute to Breyten Breytenbach for the bravery and perseverance with which he stood up to his persecution and prosecution by the apartheid state,” Ramaphosa said.
Born in the small Western Cape town of Bonnievale in 1939, Breytenbach left South Africa for France in 1960 due to his outspoken defiance of the oppressive National Party regime.
His activism led to his arrest in 1975 for possessing a false passport, which resulted in charges of high treason.
He was sentenced to nine years, serving seven years, the first two in solitary confinement.
His commitment to social justice did not go unnoticed, when in December 2023, he was honoured with a City of Cape Town Civic Honours award.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis commemorated Breytenbach's remarkable service to society, saying: “He was a genius creator of transcendent beauty who captured our emotions, forced us to think, and demonstrated during the dark days of our country’s past that the pen is far mightier than the sword. May his soul rest in peace.”
Throughout his prolific career, Breytenbach published nearly 30 Afrikaans poetry collections and over 20 English prose works, earning numerous accolades, including the Alan Paton Award, the CNA Prize, and the Hertzog Prize for Poetry.
His literary creations fused poignant poetic expressions with stirring political dialogue, cementing him as an essential voice in South Africa’s cultural heritage.
Jack Lang, the former education minister of France, posted a touching tribute on X.
“A rebel with a tender heart, he was part of all the struggles for human rights,” he wrote.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation also paid tribute, noting that Breytenbach's steadfast opposition to the apartheid regime has left an indelible mark in literature, art, and activism.
“His bold opposition to apartheid and commitment to justice left an enduring legacy in literature, art, and activism. May his soul rest in peace,” the foundation said.
Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, said Breytenbach’s death was a tragic day for South African literature.
“Breyten Breytenbach was a brave voice of his time, who fought against the injustice that he saw around him, and who championed Afrikaans as a language of expression, rather than oppression. His voice will live on for many generations to come,” he said.
Breytenbach is survived by his widow Yolande, daughter Daphnée, and two grandsons.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za
Cape Argus
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