lifestyle and provocative commentary from leading columnists Read more The passing of revered Afrikaans poet and ex-political prisoner, Breyten Breytenbach marks the closing chapter of a voice that sought justice through verse. The Breytenbach family confirmed in a statement that he had passed on peacefully on Sunday in Paris, France, with his now widow Yolande by his side. “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. “Since Breyten’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,” the statement read. Breytenbach was born in Bonnievale, Western Cape, in 1939, and was one of five siblings. Breytenbach’s death at age 85 has left a mark not only in the landscape of South African literature, but his literary reputation spread internationally, with work having been translated into Dutch, English, French and German. His opposition to apartheid saw him leave South Africa for Paris and publishing his first work during 1964, Die Ysterkoei Moet Sweet (The Iron Cow Must Sweat). He returned to South Africa in 1975 when he was arrested. According to South Africa History Online, Breytenbach pleaded guilty to entering South Africa to start an organisation, Atlas or Okhela, which intended to be the white wing of the ANC. Charged with treason under the draconian Terrorism Act, he was sentenced in the Pretoria Supreme Court to nine years in prison. Even while in prison Breytenbach was prolific, writing five volumes of poetry and English prose. Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Ricardo Mackenzie said Breytenbach’s legacy would live on through the Breytenbach Centre in Wellington. “This is a sad day for literature in our country. 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,” said Mackenzie. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis conveyed the City’s condolences on the passing of the acclaimed poet, painter, former political prisoner and civic honour awardee. “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,” said Hill-Lewis. Glynnis Breytenbach MP – DA Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development24 Nov 2024 in NewsThe Democratic Alliance notes with deep sadness the passing of award winning Afrikaans writer Breytenbach is widely considered to be one of Afrikaans’ most important poets and was awarded among others the Zbigniew Herbert International Literature Prize (2017) and the Alan Paton Prize for Literature Breyten was sentenced to imprisononment for treason against the apartheid government a sentence of which he served for seven years during which some of his best work was done to the Dakar Conference in 1987 that paved the way for negotiations with the ANC and continued to work towards the establishment of a democratic South Africa He continued to be involved with the Gorée Institute in Dakar Breyten’s poetry has always reflected a deep sense of humanity recognised as such well beyond the shores of South Africa The DA sends its heartfelt condolences to his beloved Yolande registered non profit organisation in South AfricaReg No: 011-895 NPO Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio I was ferrying foreign sailors and local ‘ladies of the night’ around Durban’s nocturnal streets in an Eagle taxi when I first came across Breyten Breytenbach’s name in the headlines of a Sunday newspaper he addressed the University of Cape Town’s Summer School and what he had to say caused displeasure in the upper echelons of the ruling Afrikaner elite The government had granted special permission for his wife Yolande — who was Vietnamese and therefore classified by the apartheid government as non-white — to accompany him on a visit to South Africa and how had he repaid their magnanimity By making offensive public statements — in English nogal — such as: “Apartheid is the law of the bastard” That’s when I knew I wanted to meet him.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads From what I’d read, I realised he and André Brink were friends said I’d like to meet Breytenbach when I eventually got to Europe and asked if Driving taxis was part of my strategy for getting to Europe I needed to earn the money but I also secretly hoped that when my grandparents discovered I was aiding and abetting the crime of prostitution they’d reach into their deep pockets and help me get there Brink had written to Breytenbach about my impending visit It was close to his apartment in Rue Malebranche and was where Brink stayed when he visited Paris I found he’d left a note at reception suggesting we meet the following morning at Café Le Soufflot I’d arrived early and — speaking English with a French accent — was doing my best to make an excitable waiter understand I was there to meet someone when I caught sight of a figure silhouetted against the Panthéon As he strode across Rue Soufflot in calf-length Spanish boots a wide-brimmed black hat and a long mustard-coloured duster coat I could hear the swelling strains of Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack to Once Upon a Time in the West Breytenbach certainly knew how to make an entrance He seemed an impossibly romantic figure when he shook my hand and flashed me a broad smile. We drank café au lait and, in his soft-spoken and engaging manner, Breytenbach asked me about myself. Brink had obviously briefed him because he told me he knew this English girl, Joanna, who ran an English-language theatre group. She wanted to put on an Athol Fugard play While he negotiated the Parisian streets in his red Citroën deux chevaux Breytenbach told me about Peter Blum’s poem “Oorlewendes” (Survivors) and how exiles always stare into water looking for their lost country of Atlantis “We all go home in the end.” I’m not sure what he did at Orly Perhaps he was delivering or receiving clandestine communication for Okhela a project that would fatefully take him back to South Africa and into prison sooner than I could have imagined Note from Breyten Breytenbach 22 December 1974 With Breyten Breytenbach’s Deux-Chevaux in Rue Malebranche inscribed by Breyten Breytenbach with the words “in memory of Atlantis” I’d occasionally meet up with him and be introduced to people like the exiled writer Lewis Nkosi I needed a show for an “Africa on Stage” event at the Sherman Theatre and he put me in touch with Mayibuye an ANC cultural group in London — which included Ronnie Kasrils and the late actor John Matshikiza — and through them I met Conny Braam head of the Dutch Anti-Apartheid Movement (AABN) I talked to her about staging an Athol Fugard play in Amsterdam and she liked the idea Breytenbach and Yolande attended the opening night of People Are Living There at the Théâtre du Tertre on 6 May I didn’t see him again for another eight years That evening we had a braai and I was introduced to Breytenbach’s Dutch translator Adriaan van Dis had offered me a room in his apartment until I found something more permanent What I didn’t know — although Braam and Van Dis did — was that while I was enjoying the long summer evening and acquiring a taste for Grolsch Breytenbach was wandering around the streets of Hillbrow speaking English with a French accent passed himself off as Christian Galaska at the South African embassy in Rome had a visa stamped in his false French passport and caught an SAA flight to Jan Smuts I was writing a personal letter on an electric Olivetti in the Anti-Apartheid Movement office The only other person there was a staffer named Kier Schuringa “Breyten has been arrested in South Africa.” Schuringa filled me in on a need-to-know basis I remembered our drive to Orly and Breytenbach saying The following day the news of Breytenbach’s arrest broke in the South African media He’d been arrested on 19 August by the Security Police as he was about to board a flight to Rome He’d been detained for a week and nobody knew who’d also entered the country illegally and was operating underground Breytenbach’s mission was surrounded by confusion and People now realised why prominent Nusas leaders had been arrested the week before Breytenbach’s arrest was announced The press had a field day and some papers circulated salaciously speculative rumours of an affair he was said to have had with an air hostess But why would he have done that when everyone knew the Special Branch recruited air hostesses as honeytraps Breytenbach was a well-known figure in the Netherlands and his arrest made front-page news Support committees sprang up and the Anti-Apartheid Movement spearheaded a campaign for his release I decided translating some of his poems would also draw attention to his plight Breytenbach’s poetry hadn’t yet appeared in English and a left-wing British literary magazine called Fireweed agreed to publish my translations I began with “Brief uit die vreemde aan slagter” (Letter from Exile to Butcher) a poem about the torture and murder of political prisoners dedicated to Balthazar — Prime Minister BJ Vorster’s first name It had been published in Amsterdam in a collection of poems called Skryt (1972) and had subsequently been banned in South Africa Breytenbach’s wingman was Berend Schuitema he’d founded the Dutch Anti-Apartheid Movement together with Braam and fellow South African Alfred Tshabangu Breytenbach sought Schuitema out and soon they were united in a common purpose Schuitema was a man of action and Breytenbach clearly felt the need to do more to bring an end to apartheid than writing politically committed poetry to counter the ideological stranglehold of the South African Communist Party over the ANC Although Oliver Tambo had secretly met Breytenbach in Paris and had given the initiative his blessing he said the ANC would disavow them if they were caught Breytenbach was charged with offences under the Terrorism Act he faced a minimum prison sentence of five years The maximum sentence was the death penalty speculation about Schuitema began circulating Rumours — no doubt emanating from the Security Police — suggested he’d betrayed Breytenbach I walked into the AABN offices one morning and found Braam Schuringa and Fulco van Aurich in a state of shock words had been exchanged and an electric Olivetti had been hurled against the wall I thanked my lucky stars I hadn’t been around but Breytenbach had told Schuitema about me and it wasn’t long before I got a message to meet him at Café de Prins on Prinsengracht Schuitema greeted me warmly and bought me a beer I remember being shit-scared of him that day had slightly reddish hair and piercing blue eyes He didn’t say how he’d made it out of South Africa But I’d have believed him if he’d told me he’d run barefoot across the Botswana border carrying a dead impala over his shoulder I didn’t know how he was going to do that and I’m not sure he did either I said I also wanted to help Breytenbach and had already started translating some of his poems Translating poetry wasn’t the kind of help he had in mind He was starting The Breytenbach Commando and was looking for recruits That wasn’t the career path I’d imagined my life taking Mindful of what had happened to the electric Olivetti that morning I tactfully persuaded Schuitema that it really would be better for all concerned — including the Struggle — if I stuck to translating Breytenbach’s poetry A stage production based on Breyten Breytenbach’s prison poetry directed by Anthony Akerman Breytenbach had offended the apartheid rulers and now he was their prisoner They were going to roll out the red carpet in the form of a show trial with the Judge President of the Transvaal Provincial Division of the Supreme Court (PM Cillié) presiding — in Brink’s words Breytenbach’s friends and supporters breathed more easily when Attorney-General Percy Yutar said the State would not ask for the death penalty Breytenbach’s conspicuously passive defence team appeared to have been drawn from circles close to the government and one of the only two witnesses who appeared for the defence was his Security Police interrogator who said the accused had collaborated with the investigators and was repentant After the judge pronounced a guilty verdict He said his actions had been misguided and he apologised to Vorster for the “insulting poem” addressed to him adding that there was no justification for it If this was part of a bargain in exchange for a lighter sentence Although Breytenbach had entered a guilty plea and the prosecution had asked for the minimum sentence of five years Cillié — who’d defended the Nazi Robey Leibbrandt during World War II when he was charged with planning to assassinate Prime Minister Jan Smuts — sentenced Breytenbach to nine years He was denied leave to appeal and was held in solitary on death row next to the gallows To many political activists who’d wanted a defiant Struggle hero who helped defray Breytenbach’s legal costs with the profits from his novel ’n Oomblik in die wind (published two weeks after the trial ended) was present for the final two days in court He wrote emotionally about what had happened to a friend he loved — “more than I love my own brother” — and sent me a copy of Breytenbach’s statement I couldn’t stop wondering what they’d done to him he was once again charged with offences under the Terrorism Act The indictment was based on incriminating tape-recorded conversations with a prison warder who’d been planted by the Security Police Although many of the charges may have seemed absurd and fanciful Breytenbach’s attorneys understood the serious nature of the indictment and briefed advocates Ernie Wentzel and Johann Kriegler After he was acquitted on charges of terrorism and planning an escape Breytenbach was briefly detained with the other (white) political prisoners in Pretoria Central Prison before being transferred to Pollsmoor possibly because the authorities had decided his poetry was important to Afrikaans literature John Brand — a schoolfriend of mine who’d been an associate with Breytenbach’s firm of attorneys at the time of the trial — assumed responsibility for looking after Breytenbach’s interests and regularly visited him in prison Brand was also at Jan Smuts Airport to see him off when Breytenbach and Yolande flew out of the country on Sunday Breyten Breytenbach and Anthony Akerman in 1983 at Poetry International Breyten Breytenbach on stage with Vernie February reading a poem at Poetry International When I saw Breytenbach in Amsterdam the following month I was almost as old as he’d been the day he came into Café Le Soufflot and found me speaking to the waiter in English with a French accent He seemed well and was as gracious and charming as he’d ever been During one of his first public appearances a Dutch journalist asked how long it would take for him to get over his prison experience This article was first published in December 2022 and was republished after Breytenbach’s death on 24 November 2024 I have noticed that none of the articles about Breyten mention that he was the brother of the late Col Jan Breytenbach Couldn’t have a scion of the establishment turning traitor is the fact that Breytenbach left the country to live in France after 1994 I would have thought he would willingly be living in the utopia he helped to create here in the good old R of SA Was he not satisfied with the government he helped to put into power he was a french citizen who had built a life in paris for 32 years from 1962 thinking that he would uproot his life in france to move to ZA in 1994 is silly the only meaningful time he spent in ZA after 1962 was in prison I don’t think this is the answer she is looking for I suspect Utterly Confused is missing the good old days of Balthazar Vorster when she had privileges now lost to equally It is rather interesting though that so many “anti-apartheid” campaigners do live in Europe I guess they are not so happy with the utopia they wished for There was a recent opinion piece of the artist now living in Sweden as well but he was no praise singer for the ANC or even SA ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " “Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for the Realization of Global Solidarity reflects Parliament’s commitment to international collaboration in addressing socio-economic challenges anel@parliament.gov.za own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment University of Pretoria provides funding as a partner of The Conversation AFRICA View all partners Breyten Breytenbach (1939-2024) was an artist thinker and outspoken political activist who changed the literary landscape in South Africa where he had first been exiled in the 1960s exile and justice in a career spanning almost six decades his paintings were exhibited in major galleries and he was awarded prestigious literary prizes Breytenbach was a master of metaphor Metaphors transcend the literal meanings of words creating new associations and images that stir the reader’s imagination But his metaphors leave all definitions and theories about metaphor short By joining concepts and words in curious ways his metaphors create imaginative alternatives: die maan is ‘n silwer skree (The moon is a silver scream) Often he would create new words and meanings in the process: is to imagine … I remagine you – where “ontbeel” is a new word.) His poetry brimmed with astonishing and often baffling metaphors metaphors were never mere literary devices or ornamental tools of poetry To him, metaphor was an ethical imperative. This act of sparking the moral imagination was, for Breytenbach, the essence of poetry – and indeed, of art. The ability to constantly imagine alternatives to the fixed meanings of words, to reimagine concepts like self, nation, group, identity, Afrikaans, Afrikaner remained the central focus of all his creative endeavours Breytenbach’s resistance to all forms of oppression and exclusion, which led to his clashes with Afrikaner nationalism and apartheid in the 1960s was rooted in his resistance to the power of words to fix meanings and confine possibilities I saw first-hand how they transformed students’ perspectives on art His words and his life were deeply intertwined the ethical question – how to live well – and the creative act of using language were one he unmasked and resisted language’s tendency to fixate he resisted the ways in which rigid language contributes to restrictive thinking and actions Born in Bonnievale in the Western Cape province in 1939 Breytenbach grew up in Wellington and studied fine arts at the University of Cape Town before moving to France in the early 1960s fearlessly addressing themes of identity and justice this placed him in direct opposition to the government and even many of his fellow Afrikaans writers Breytenbach was unrelenting in his critique of Afrikaner writers of the 1960s. He chastised them for being inspired by French novels and European philosophy while turning a blind eye to the oppressive conditions of the people around them and dismissing the work of Black writers whose voices were systematically silenced and banned but apartheid’s racial laws denied her a visa to visit South Africa This forced the young couple to travel to neighbouring Swaziland (today Eswatini) to meet his parents The personal affront of apartheid’s injustices became even more real to him, spurring his decision to join Okhela a resistance organisation opposing the apartheid regime He returned to South Africa under a false passport to rally support for the resistance but was caught tried for treason – a charge that carried the death penalty – and sentenced to nine years in prison in 1975 While he penned some of Afrikaans literature’s most moving love poems, Breytenbach also authored searing critiques of the government, resulting in the banning of many of his works. His poem Brief uit die vreemde aan slagter (Letter from Abroad to the Butcher), addressed to apartheid prime minister John Vorster was even used against him during his trial Breytenbach lived in exile in France and the US Themes of identity and exile remained central to his work as he navigated the liminal space of the “middle world” – never fully arriving His exuberant language, vivid imagery, and the magical interplay of sound and rhythm continued to captivate readers. Breytenbach travelled widely, forging connections with fellow poets in exile. Notably, he translated Palestinian writer Mahmoud Darwish’s poetry into Afrikaans Yet his unwavering commitment to justice often put him at odds with former allies as he was unafraid to criticise those who betrayed their ideals once they wielded power Ultimately, Breytenbach’s resistance was rooted in a steadfast opposition to power that seeks to define with their power to shape and confine meaning the role of the artist was to nurture a creative imagination capable of imagining ethical alternatives to stagnation and dogma This was not just an artistic philosophy; it was a way of life Breytenbach’s influence is profound and far-reaching Those who have been touched by his words cannot remain unchanged reminding even the marginalised that they need not surrender to others’ definitions of them AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale South African writer and anti-apartheid activist Breyten Breytenbach died on Sunday in Paris at the age of 85 Breytenbach left his native country in the early 1960s to settle in Paris where he became one of the most influential voices against South Africa's legalised system of racial segregation the South African painter and poet Breyten Breytenbach at the age of 85," Daphnee Breytenbach said.  Breytenbach published around 50 books during his lifetime including "The True Confession of an Albino Terrorist" and numerous volumes of poetry written mainly in his native Afrikaans.  he fought for a better world until the end," his daughter said.  The writer spent seven years in jail in South Africa including two in solitary confinement French president Francois Mitterrand helped secure his release in 1982 and he returned to France He was later named Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur et Commandeur des Arts et Lettres Breytenbach was born in the small Western Cape town of Bonnievale in 1939 Though he eventually settled in France with his wife he travelled back to South Africa regularly.  his resilience will continue to guide us," his daughter said.  Home | South Africa The family of renowned South African poet, author, painter and anti-apartheid activist, Breyten Breytenbach has announced that his private funeral will be held in Paris on Tuesday next week He died in the city last weekend at the age of 85 Breytenbach was a celebrated figure in global literature His work was translated into several languages Breytenbach‘s anti-apartheid activism led to his imprisonment for treason in 1975 when he wrote his memoir ‘Confessions of an Albino Terrorist’ Breytenbach’s public commemoration is planned for February next year in South Africa You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed By entering your email address and clicking “Submit,” you agree to receive updates from the Open Society Foundations about our work. To learn more about how we use and protect your personal data, please view our privacy policy NEW YORK—The Open Society Foundations mourn the passing of Breyten Breytenbach in Paris yesterday at the age of 85.  A fearless South African anti-apartheid activist Breytenbach was imprisoned and forced into self-imposed exile but never deterred from his outspoken criticism of the apartheid government His writing and activism had a profound impact on the political landscape in South Africa in the 1980s.  Breytenbach’s relationship with Open Society and with George Soros goes back decades He is widely credited as one of the architects of the historic Dakar Conference in 1987 with support from George Soros This watershed meeting between members of the Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa—later the Institute for Democracy in Africa (IDASA)—and the African National Congress (ANC) generated crucial momentum toward a peaceful transition to a free South Africa.  The conference led to talks between the apartheid government with Nelson Mandela and played an important role in the transition to a post-apartheid state It also catalyzed the establishment of the pro-democracy Gorée Institute located off the coast of Dakar which Breytenbach was deeply involved with for decades.  IDASA would go on to host the nascent Open Society Foundation for South Africa which went on to advance open society values and initiatives for more than 30 years By entering your email address and clicking “Submit,” you agree to receive updates from the Open Society Foundations about our work. To learn more about how we use and protect your personal data, please view our privacy policy. Read the latest from our staff, grantees, and partners about how we’re working around the world to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. Every year the Open Society Foundations give thousands of grants to groups and individuals that work on issues we focus on—promoting justice, equity, and human rights. Lester Kiewit speaks with poet and writer Professor Antjie Krog. Breyten Breytenbach passed away in Paris, France on Sunday at the age of 85. He was born in Bonnievale in 1939 and is considered one of the greatest-ever Afrikaans poets. His works touched on themes of exile, identity and justice. Krog says that his writing was unlike anything else in Afrikaans. He spent time behind bars for his opposition to the apartheid regime and was forced to flee South Africa in the 1960s and made his second home in France. Krog says his activism was not limited just to his work, and he called out every writer for how they lived during apartheid. Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview. Sections Breyten Breytenbach JOHANNESBURG - Tributes continue to pour in for SA author and anti-apartheid activist The South African writer and poet died on Sunday morning in Paris READ: Breyten Breytenbach, writer who challenged apartheid, dies at 85 He is regarded as one of the foremost poets in Afrikaans and also published works in English that were translated into several other languages He was a vocal critic of the apartheid government and moved to the French capital for the first time in the 1960s Louise Viljoen from Stellenbosch University remembered his life and legacy on eNCA Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries where he lived with his wife was announced by his daughter “"An immense artist and activist against apartheid he fought until the end for a better world” Breytenbach was a painter and poet as well as an anti-apartheid activist as an activist he was imprisoned for nine years He left the country when he was released in 1982 France became a naturalised citizen of France and married a French woman of Vietnamese ancestry he was bestowed the title of Knight of the Legion of Honour and was named Commander of Arts and Letters His daughter says of his creative spirit,” “His words his resilience will continue to guide us.” For many Afrikaners he was the greatest Afrikaans poet of his generation as one of the Sestigers he inspired a new generation of Afrikaners the so-called ‘verligte’ Afrikaners Koos Kombuis told News24 "He was a massive influence in my life.” He returned to South Africa to visit after 1994 on many occasions he condemned corruption in government and what he saw as the unfair treatment of Afrikaans He was born in Bonnievale in the Cape and studied at Michaelis School of Fine Art in Cape Town His first collection of poetry is Die ysterkoei moet sweet (The Iron Cow Must Sweat) He is considered a major figure in world literature Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or swiping left Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or the keyboard right arrow key FILE - South African writer Breyten Breytenbach and American actor and singer Harry Belafonte shake hands during a press conference in Paris JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African writer and poet Breyten Breytenbach a staunch opponent of the former white-minority government’s apartheid policy of racial oppression a leading voice in literature in Afrikaans — an offshoot of Dutch that was developed by white settlers — and a fierce critic of apartheid that was imposed against the country’s Black majority between 1948 and 1990 He moved to Paris but on a clandestine trip to his home country in 1975 he was arrested on allegations that he assisted Nelson Mandela’s then-outlawed African National Congress group in its sabotage campaign against the white-minority government He was convicted of treason and served seven years in prison Upon his release he based himself in Paris where he continued his anti-apartheid activism Breytenbach is best known for “Confessions of an Albino Terrorist,” his account of his imprisonment and the events leading to it “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,” their statement said painter and activist whose work touched on and influenced literature and the arts both domestically and abroad He was born in the Western Cape province in 1939 an ideological wing of South Africa’s African National Congress but remained deeply connected to his South African roots Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker to where he had first been exiled in the 1960s Exploring themes of identity, exile and justice in a career spanning nearly six decades, his paintings were exhibited in major galleries and he was awarded prestigious literary prizes.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads By joining concepts and words in curious ways his metaphors create imaginative alternatives: “die maan is ‘n silwer skree (the moon is a silver scream).” Often he would create new words and meanings in the process: “om te onthou is to imagine… I remagine you”) – where “ontbeel” is a new word This act of sparking the moral imagination was His resistance to all forms of oppression and exclusion, which led to his clashes with Afrikaner nationalism and the apartheid government in the 1960s I grew up in the confined and deeply nationalist, religious Afrikaner environment of the 1960s and 1970s. Afrikaners were settlers in South Africa who would later create apartheid under white minority rule To me, Breytenbach offered a radically different way of being Afrikaans. His work – like that of André Brink and later Antjie Krog – inspired me to study literature Breyten Breytenbach in Paris on 25 June 2009 Born in Bonnievale in the Western Cape in 1939, Breytenbach grew up in Wellington and studied fine arts at the University of Cape Town before moving to France in the early 1960s.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove adsadvertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Afrikaner society and even many of his fellow Afrikaans writers Breytenbach was unrelenting in his critique of Afrikaner writers of the 1960s. He chastised them for being inspired by French novels and European philosophy while turning a blind eye to the oppressive conditions of the people around them and dismissing the work of black writers whose voices were systematically silenced and banned Read more: Breyten Breytenbach — Prisoner of apartheid rulers, my hero Although he penned some of Afrikaans literature’s most moving love poems, Breytenbach also authored searing critiques of the government, resulting in the banning of many of his works. His poem Brief uit die Vreemde aan Slagter (Letter from Abroad to Butcher), addressed to apartheid prime minister John Vorster Themes of identity and exile remained central to his work as he navigated the liminal space of the “middle world” – never fully arriving vivid imagery and the magical interplay of sound and rhythm continued to captivate readers Breytenbach travelled widely, forging connections with fellow poets in exile. Notably, he translated Palestinian writer Mahmoud Darwish’s poetry into Afrikaans Read more: Andre Brink: On the fall of a giant Ultimately, Breytenbach’s resistance was rooted in a steadfast opposition to power that seeks to define, exclude or suppress. He believed that words, with their power to shape and confine meaning, must continually be renewed, challenged and opened to new possibilities.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Read more: Poetry keeps us safe from barbaric non-thinking an accuser and an encourager – humane and gentle to reject fixed identities and to keep reimagining the world anew First published by The Conversation. Willie Burger is a professor and head of the Department of Afrikaans at the University of Pretoria. This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35. Breytenbach was a talented writer, but also a coward – he apologised to President Vorster about one of his poems calling it “crass and insulting” because he was scared of going to jail. A true artist would never apologise for his work. Yip. Great stuff. Just look at the country now – completely down the drain by his comrades who stuffed it all up. What a wasted, worthless life. Great works by one of the sons of South Africa. Breyten played his part is dismantling apartheid, while he could have just sat back and enjoyed what was on offer, exclusively to whites. Me and many others, would pick the current South Africa over the old. Well said. The Beyers Naude of SA literature . Unlike the ‘Jan’ of van Riebeek mindset . Supremacist thinking at its best . At the Sestigers conference in 1973, he used the phrase (referring to the spine of a book) “die naat is geskyf, en ons is nou die half naatjies” A legendary South African and a true Afrikaaner who will long be remembered when all those sick and sorry so-called Afrikaaners many who still cling onto their rotten ideas and ideals are long forgotten. JOHANNESBURG -Prominent South African writer, poet, and activist Breyten Breytenbach has died. The author passed away in Paris on Sunday aged 85. Born in 1939 in Bonnievale, in the Western Cape, Breytenbach became a leading Afrikaans poet and a staunch critic of the apartheid government.  He spent seven years in prison on terrorism charges between 1975 and 1982.  After his release, Breytenbach lived in exile and became a naturalised citizen of France.  His family says the 85-year-old died peacefully, in the presence of his wife, Yolande.  NATIONAL NEWS - Renowned South African poet 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 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 a separate ideological wing of the ANC in exile and was imprisoned upon his clandestine return to South Africa in 1975 his artistic and literary contributions flourished cementing his place as one of South Africa’s most courageous and visionary figures,” the statement reads 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.” 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  ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route 0861 99 00 44    Studio@smile904.fm our City awarded Civic Honours to Breyten Breytenbach for his remarkable service to Cape Town and society Hill-Lewis says Breytenbach was a founding member of the Sestigers a dissident Afrikaans literary movement strongly opposing the apartheid regime “Also for his vast contribution to South African poetry and literature and his profound personal sacrifice in opposition to apartheid,” Hill-lewis said The City of Cape Town conferred Civic Honours on Breyten Breytenbach on 6 December 2023 He was showered with numerous literary accolades the CNA Prize and the Hertzog Prize for Poetry MORE ABOUT: Breyten Breytenbach (Wikipedia) the Western Cape Government has expressed its sadness at the loss of one of the biggest Afrikaans voices of our lifetime The provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport said: “This is a sad day for literature in our country He says Breytenbach was a celebrated writer who used his art as a tool to protest against the injustices of the apartheid government Mackenzie says “Breyten Breytenbach was a brave voice of his time who fought against the injustice that he saw around him.” Breytenbach was born in Bonnievale in the Western Cape He spent much of his life abroad but always remained deeply committed to South Africa Mackenzie says Breytenbach returned to South Africa in 1975 and was imprisoned for 9 years under charges of treason “Breyten Breytenbach  championed Afrikaans as a language of expression His voice will live on for many generations to come,” said Mackenzie The Department’s Head of Communications Tania Colyn says the MEC has expressed his deepest condolences to Breyten’s wife Yolande and all those who knew him and whose lives were touched by his art © Smile904.fm hosted and supported by ImmediaTerms of Use | General Contest Guidelines|Archive|Advertise with us|Privacy Policy|Contact Us Renowned South African poet, novelist, painter, and activist Breyten Breytenbach has died Breytenbach passed on earlier today in Paris aged of 85 the South African wordsmith passed on “with his wife Yolande by his side” [WATCH] Well-known South African poet, author, and painter, Breyten Breytenbach, has died. He was 85 year’s old. The family statement says that he passed away peacefully in Paris, France, this morning with his wife Yolande by his side. pic.twitter.com/0muPGG6Yc2 — SABC News (@SABCNews) November 24, 2024 Born in 1939 in the Western Cape, Breytenbach, whose work profoundly shaped literature and the arts both locally and abroad, was one of five siblings, all of whom have since passed away. Although he lived abroad for much of his life, he maintained a strong connection to his South African heritage. During his decades-long career, the Bonnievale-born anti-apartheid activist, boldly tackled themes of exile, identity and justice through some of his acclaimed works like The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist and A Season in Paradise. Describing him as “a vocal opponent of apartheid” who was arrested in 1975 for his association with the little talked about “Okhela, a separate ideological wing of the ANC in exile,” the family says Breytenbach is survived by his wife, and daughter Daphnée, and two grandsons. “Interestingly, since Breyten’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,” reads the statement in part. the country’s apartheid regime generated widespread revulsion internationally The only exception made by the lyrics was for Breyten Breytenbach regarded by many Afrikaans speakers as their poet laureate and a prominent white campaigner for racial equality Breytenbach had previously been imprisoned for years over his beliefs "},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"While not himself under such a sentence the white prisoner gets a whole roast chicken,” he noted The only exception"},"children":[]}]}]},"dropcapsDisabled":false,"expirableFlags":[],"keywords":{"type":"json","json":["breyten","breytenbach","obituary","anti-apartheid","campaigner"]},"leadAsset":{"type":"id","generated":false,"id":"Image:aafcac4b-e4b3-4696-9b98-9a65375f1449","typename":"Image"},"relatedArticleSlice":null,"sharingEnabled":true,"savingEnabled":true,"standfirst":"Afrikaner poet anti-apartheid campaigner","seoDescription":"Afrikaner poet painter and prisoner of conscience whose punishment included two years of hallucinatory solitary confinement","slug":"breyten-breytenbach","categoryPath":"/uk/obituaries/article/breyten-breytenbach-g99mqnk6f","__typename":"Article"},"Image:aafcac4b-e4b3-4696-9b98-9a65375f1449":{"caption":"Breytenbach was sentenced to nine years in prison","credits":"Patrick SICCOLI/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images","title":"Breyten Breytenbach painter and prisoner of conscience whose punishment included two years of hallucinatory solitary confinementThe TimesMonday February 17 2025 The TimesBreytenbach was sentenced to nine years in prisonPATRICK SICCOLI/GAMMA-RAPHO VIA GETTY IMAGESThe TimesMonday February 17 2025 The Times“I’ve never met a nice South African,” sang the TV satirists of Spitting Image in 1986 He had made his literary reputation two decades before as It was with sorrow that I heard yesterday of Breyten Breytenbach’s passing painter and activist was Gondwana’s guest at Etosha Safari Lodge & Camp seven years ago We filmed him on the deck of the lodge against the backdrop of the verdant mopane forest One of the questions we asked him was how a person moves from being imprisoned to someone who inspires the masses His reply included concepts like dignity and tolerating the diversity in one self and in others an ethos which Gondwana believes in and embraces He spoke of ‘saam mekaar anders maak’ – together we can make a difference Although he was incarcerated in 1975 for advocating for a more equal existence in South Africa returning to France and his family in 1982 to live out a life of love honed from a time of introspection and hardship who when released used their lives to make a difference putting negativity and bitterness behind them When he visited us in Namibia with his lovely wife his intellect and composure radiating from him which are inscribed on Agnes Hill’s gravestone in the Gondwana Canyon Park are words that seem a fitting tribute for him copyright in the content of this website vest in The Free Press of Namibia (Proprietary) Limited (Registration No 85/058) The unauthorized making of copies or use of this material constitutes a copyright infringment under the Namibian Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act Powered by PageSuite © 2025 The Namibian This site asks for consent to use your data We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns Breytenbach had offended the apartheid rulers and now he was their prisoner They were going to roll out the red carpet in the form of a show trial with the Judge President of the Transvaal Provincial Division of the Supreme Court (PM Cillié) presiding -- in André Brink's words I was ferrying foreign sailors and local 'ladies of the night' around Durban's nocturnal streets in an Eagle taxi when I first came across Breyten Breytenbach's name in the headlines of a Sunday newspaper he addressed the University of Cape Town's Summer School and what he had to say caused displeasure in the upper echelons of the ruling Afrikaner elite Yolande -- who was Vietnamese and therefore classified by the apartheid government as non-white -- to accompany him on a visit to South Africa and how had he repaid their magnanimity By making offensive public statements -- in English nogal -- such as: "Apartheid is the law of the bastard" I realised he and André Brink were friends said I'd like to meet Breytenbach when I eventually got to Europe and.. Read the full story on Daily Maverick AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals representing a diversity of positions on every topic We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you There was a problem processing your submission Renowned South African writer and anti-apartheid activist Breyten Breytenbach has died he fought for a better world until the end,” his family said in a statement describing him as “an immense artist.” Breytenbach’s sharp intellect and commitment to justice earned him widespread admiration The British satirical show Spitting Image once called him “the only nice South African” in a song during apartheid’s darkest days Former French education minister Jack Lang also paid tribute on X writing: “A rebel with a tender heart he was part of all the struggles for human rights.” Born in the Western Cape on 16 September 1939 he remained deeply connected to his South African roots After attending the University of Cape Town a group of Afrikaans poets and writers who sought to celebrate the language while condemning the racist apartheid regime became closely associated with apartheid under the Afrikaner government “I’d never reject Afrikaans as a language but I reject it as part of the Afrikaner political identity I no longer consider myself an Afrikaner,” he told The New York Times The couple’s attempt to return to South Africa in the 1960s was thwarted when Yolande was denied a visa due to apartheid laws forbidding interracial marriage Breytenbach returned to South Africa clandestinely to support resistance groups He was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison for terrorism and his experience inspired his critically acclaimed novel The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist The book provides a harrowing account of his time in prison including two years in solitary confinement Thanks to efforts by French President François Mitterrand Breytenbach was released in 1982 and later became a French citizen While he initially fought against apartheid Breytenbach also criticised the post-apartheid government led by Nelson Mandela accusing the African National Congress (ANC) of becoming a “corrupt organisation.” His activism extended beyond South Africa as demonstrated by his 2002 open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon “Why should we look the other way when it is Israel committing crimes?” he wrote He also gained recognition for his surreal paintings His contributions to art and literature earned him France’s highest cultural honour the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters Breytenbach is survived by his wife Yolande Easily access major global news with a strong focus on Africa we like to accentuate positive stories about Africa across all genres including Politics We broadcast 24 hours a day from our studios in London and New York and can be seen here in the UK and across Europe on the Sky platform (Sky channel 516) Freeview (Channel 136) as well as in the USA on the Centric channel and also on the Hot bird platform © 2023 Arise News - Part of the Arise Media Group Mpumalanga are accusing Ikoti Coal Mine of destroying their houses when they blast at the mine The families residing close to the mine also allege that the mine has tampered with the gravesite while conducting its operations The families spokesperson Johannes Mokoena says all attempts to engage with the mine management has failed “As community members we have lot of concerns related to lack of consultation by the mine even before it was established livestock are walking while they are mining.” the Msukalingwa Local Municipality in Ermelo Mpumalanga says it was not aware that Ikoti Mine operates close to people’s houses Municipal official Bongani Motha says the municipality will convene an urgent meeting to investigate the matter “We were not aware that there are houses that are affected by the blasting activities of Ikoti Mine We didn’t receive any complaint from those communities however as the municipality we are committed in resolving the issue that are facing our communities and as I see that this is an urgent matter that needs our urgent attention.” and artist Breyten Breytenbach has died at the age of 85 His family confirmed he died peacefully in his sleep in Paris Breytenbach was a towering figure in literature and art as well as a fervent critic of South Africa’s apartheid regime A family statement described him as “an immense artist who fought for a better world until the end.” Breytenbach became a leading voice of the Afrikaans language using it to critique the injustices of apartheid A member of the Sestigers literary movement he sought to point out the beauty of Afrikaans while rejecting its association with Afrikaner nationalism Breytenbach spent much of his life in exile he clandestinely returned to South Africa to support resistance efforts but was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison for terrorism His time behind bars inspired his seminal work a harrowing account of his imprisonment and solitary confinement French President François Mitterrand helped secure Breytenbach’s release in 1982 He later became a French citizen and continued his activism and creative endeavors many of which have been translated into multiple languages Breytenbach’s contributions extended beyond the written word often depicting themes of captivity and freedom He was a harsh critic of South Africa’s post-apartheid African National Congress (ANC) government accusing it of corruption and failing the ideals of liberation His activism reached global issues as well he published an open letter in The Guardian criticizing Israeli policies in Palestine showcasing his lifelong commitment to justice and human rights worldwide called him “a rebel with a tender heart part of all the struggles for human rights.” Breytenbach was awarded France’s highest cultural honor recognizing his immense contributions to literature and the arts without being afraid of EFCC – Gov Hope Uzodinma declares We’re committed to supporting Nigerian students – NELFUND Why Elon Musk fights for white South Africans – US musician American pastor abducted in South Africa freed after shoot-out Trump threatens to skip G20 summit in South Africa 2026 WCQ: FIFA could still hand South Africa points deduction despite Lesotho’s withdrawal Trump announces Brent Bozell as US Ambassador to South Africa Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd Breyten Breytenbach was a South African-born poet and former political prisoner known for his fierce opposition to apartheid and his literary works that captured the struggles and disillusionment of his time shaped him into one of the most significant voices of his generation Breytenbach’s death at the age of 85 in Paris marks the end of an era for South African literature and anti-apartheid resistance – Imprisoned under the Terrorism Act in 1975 Welcome to the Current Affairs Section of Adda247 If you are preparing for Government Job Exams then it is very important for you to read the Daily Current Affairs All the important updates based on current affairs are included in this Daily Current Affairs 2024 article It is simply the only opening I have for making use of all my senses and capabilities Born in Bonnievale in the Western Cape on 16 September 1939 Breyten came from a creative family of authors While he left South Africa for Paris in the early 1960s he co-founded Okhela [Zulu: ignite the flame] a resistance group fighting apartheid in exile.On an illegal visit to South Africa in 1975 arrested and sentenced to nine years of imprisonment for high treason.  Released in 1982 as a result of international and domestic pressure he returned to Paris and lived alternatively in Paris and Gorée Island where he founded and headed a fine art workshop for African artists This was the beginning of a long and deep engagement with West Africa that profoundly shaped his eventful life As a prodigiously productive writer and thinker his work includes several anthologies of poetry His first public engagement in the literary field titled ‘Die Swart Kaart’ (in which he outlined his philosophy of art and literature against the literary currents at the time) appeared in the November 1964 edition of the literary magazine Sestiger Initially his work resonated with the literary and art currents of the time: Symbolism an Afrikaans literary movement that included writers such as Bartho Smit He was undoubtedly an influential writer and critical thinker in the literary Some of his most memorable collected speeches were published by Penguin Books (2015) under the title ‘Parool/Parole’ This collection provides a unique insight into the mind and heart of a dialectical thinker as it amounts to a topography of critical engagement with ethics and the emphatic imagination in politics and life Before saying something about his literary work allow the writer to speak for himself on how he saw his role in society This direct quotation comes from his memorable speech at the Skrywersbe­raad/Writers’ Summit of July 1989 “As a writer I shall continue attempting to plot the shifts in power and conceptions; to help keep alive the dream of a free decent and just South Africa; to help foster notions of the ethics of resistance; of the need to build democracy to ask for respect for the texture of consciousness our recognition of the need to go beyond ourselves maybe even to blend extremes while keeping the common good in mind.” Breytenbach’s work is best described as an artist’s enduring and playful search for his own identity This was mediated by his biography as an exile polymath cosmopolitan and traveller between worlds and cultures Breytenbach engaged with the complexities of the lived experience the fragile consciousness of the power and limits of words concepts and language and the tyranny of modernity relates to the relationship between language – especially Afrikaans – and public power and how meanings are created and debunked Afrikaans was both part of justifying racism and apartheid as well as one of the means for bursting the petrified arteries of the Afrikaner elite The above made Breytenbach a counter-hegemonic thinker deeply suspicious of all constructs of power and their vulgarities In this he was influenced by the French intellectual and writer Camus had a nose for those oppositions which possess a genuinely emancipatory potential from which he could wrest meaning originally presented at the ArtTerial conference provides one of the most nuanced articulations of envisioning Africa and its future differently His conclusion is particularly poignant for the present and the future It reads: “For I believe that it is possible to strengthen and season the freedom of the mind singly and collectively and that this freedom constitutes the necessary lever for bringing about further changes.” that he refused to accept and endure the alienating emptiness of apartheid he invoked the power of a composite identity: Afrikaner/African Two sources are especially useful in understanding this construct: The author’s ‘The Afrikaner as African’ a paper he read at a conference in Zanzibar in May 1998 and his insightful preface to Frederik van Zyl Slabbert’s ‘Afrikaner Afrikaan Anekdotes en Analise’; (Afrikaner African Anecdotes and Analysis) published in 1999.  departed from the premise that the ethical life vests in engagement; that they were part of Africa and that reconciliation was ultimately a cultural and not a political project Yet another theme enriches his work: His deep engagement with nature The author found redemptive meaning in the natural splendours of South Africa and Africa he would never renounce the need for beauty ‘Return to Paradise’ (1993) is Breytenbach’s latest exploration of his African and South African identity: A journey of the heart and mind into his complex relationship with the country of his birth In it he writes of the beauty of the mountains Breytenbach’s ‘Notes from the Middle World’ 7 October 1996) explores the question of identity: ‘Who are You?’ with commendable insight He traces the origin of the Middle World to Constantine Cavafy the Alexandrian poet of Greek extraction who died in 1933 what’s going to happen to us without barbarians have been marked by a combination of Kafkaesque and a dose of Buddhist scepticism and a celebration of life; images connect often surreal worlds to the grinding realities of apartheid but the search for what makes us truly human and free I met Breyten Breytenbach through his work in 1967 and at Dakar in July 1987 as part of a delegation of South African passport holders who journeyed to West Africa to engage in discussions with the African National Congress (ANC) on the future of South Africa he spoke about The Middle World and how to reimagine Africa at a meeting of the local Socratic Society The vision has not faded in his pilgrimage of 85 years Breyten for your radical freedom and infectious humanity and for inventing and mining words in all their frailty and power.May the Force be with Yolande * André du Pisani is emeritus professor of politics at the University of Namibia South Africa’s award-winning writer Breyten Breytenbach an anti-apartheid activist who was jailed for his beliefs where he became one of the most influential voices against South Africa’s legalised system of racial segregation at the age of 85,” Daphnee Breytenbach said including The True Confession of an Albino Terrorist and numerous volumes of poetry he fought for a better world until the end,” his daughter said And in a post on Instagram accompanied by a photo of the two of them smiling together she added: “He leaves a huge void.  “He was the most exceptional human being I have ever known I am immensely proud to call him my father.” He was later named Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur et Commandeur des Arts et Lettres who served as culture minister under Mitterrand he was involved in all struggles for human rights,” he posted on X “His ardent commitment to those who suffer and his fight against apartheid was exemplary and decisive,” he added his resilience will continue to guide us,” his daughter said.  please register for free or log in to your account Photo: AP PHOTOSouth African writer and poet Breyten Breytenbach a fierce opponent of the former South African white minority government's apartheid policy All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBreytenbach was a celebrated wordsmith a leading voice in literature in Afrikaans — an offshoot of Dutch that was developed by white settlers — and a fierce critic of apartheid He served seven years in prison in the 1970s for treason upon his return from exile from Paris "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 an ideological wing of South Africa's African National Congress Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article He was allowed to travel with his Vietnamese wife (who was classified as Colored by the South African government) to South Africa in 1973 and he later taught at the University of Cape Town (2000–03)