Breyten Breytenbach, a celebrated South African writer, poet, painter, and anti-apartheid activist, passed away peacefully on November 24th, 2024, in Paris at the age of 85.
Breytenbach’s life and work were marked by his complex relationship with his native South Africa.
While he embraced his Afrikaans language, he fiercely opposed the apartheid regime built upon it. He became a vocal critic from abroad, residing in Paris for most of his life.
Breytenbach was a leading figure in establishing Afrikaans as a respected literary language. His 1964 poetry collection, “The Iron Cow Must Sweat,” is a prime example.
Breytenbach’s opposition to apartheid led to him being imprisoned for seven years in South Africa. His experiences inspired his acclaimed memoir, “The True Confession of an Albino Terrorist.”
He settled in Paris after leaving South Africa in the early 1960s. Despite returning occasionally for activism, he remained critical of the post-apartheid government.
Breytenbach was a prolific artist, expressing his struggles through both writing and painting. His paintings often featured human and animal figures in captivity.
International Recognition: Breytenbach’s work received numerous awards, including the Zbigniew Herbert International Literary Award and the Mahmoud Darwish Literature Prize.
Breyten Breytenbach leaves behind a rich legacy. He will be remembered as a courageous voice against apartheid, a champion of the Afrikaans language, and a talented artist.