South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Leads Tributes to Breyten Breytenbach
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Breyten Breytenbach, the celebrated anti-apartheid activist, poet, and artist, who passed away at 85. In a heartfelt statement, Ramaphosa acknowledged Breytenbach’s unparalleled contribution to the struggle against apartheid and his global influence as a literary and artistic figure.
“Today we mourn the passing of Breyten Breytenbach, 85, humanist whose strident and sustained literary assault on apartheid and its enforcers and endorsers traversed bookstores, domestic bookshelves, lecture halls, art galleries and theatre stages around the world,” Ramaphosa said.
Breytenbach, a son of Bonnievale in the Western Cape, spent much of his life in exile in Paris, where he lived with his wife, Yolande, and daughter, Daphnée. Ramaphosa extended his condolences to Breytenbach’s family, highlighting their loss as a moment for the nation to reflect on his indomitable spirit.
Champion of Freedom
Breytenbach’s artistic and political resistance made him a target of the apartheid regime. He was imprisoned for his opposition to the system, an experience that only deepened his resolve to fight for liberation. His work, spanning poetry, prose, and visual arts, resonated globally, reflecting the militancy, tragedy, and resilience of the anti-apartheid movement.
“Fearful of his influence on the minority electorate in South Africa and on world opinion, the apartheid regime imprisoned him for opposing the system,” Ramaphosa noted.
A Legacy Remembered
Breytenbach’s passing marks the end of an era for South Africa’s cultural and political heritage. As an artist, his work defied boundaries, and as a humanist, he inspired generations to fight against injustice.
Ramaphosa concluded his tribute with a somber reflection: “May his soul rest in peace.”
The nation joins in mourning the loss of one of its most courageous voices against apartheid, while celebrating his lasting impact on South Africa’s journey to freedom.
