Breyten Breytenbach passes away in France

Breyten Breytenbach. Photo: Breytenbach Sentrum/Facebook

NATIONAL NEWS - Renowned South African poet, novelist, painter and activist Breyten Breytenbach has died.

According to a Facebook post on Breytenbach Sentrum, his family announced his passing in a statement, stating that he passed away earlier today in Paris, aged 85, with his wife at his side.

According to the statement, Breytenbach’s work shaped literature and the arts both locally and abroad. 

Known for his masterful literary creations such as The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist and A Season in Paradise, he fearlessly addressed themes of exile, identity and justice.

“A vocal opponent of apartheid, Breytenbach joined Okhela, a separate ideological wing of the ANC in exile, and was imprisoned upon his clandestine return to South Africa in 1975. Despite this, his artistic and literary contributions flourished, cementing his place as one of South Africa’s most courageous and visionary figures,” the statement reads.

Born in Bonnievale, Western Cape, in 1939, Breytenbach was one of five siblings.

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

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

“The family appreciates the support and condolences received during this difficult time and requests privacy as they finalise funeral arrangements, details of which will be shared in due course.”

Read original story on www.citizen.co.za 

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