Celebrated South African writer, poet, and artist Breyten Breytenbach has died at the age of 85. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully in his sleep in Paris, with his wife, Yolande, by his side.
Breytenbach was known for his fearless opposition to apartheid and his lifelong advocacy for justice and equality. His family described him as “an immense artist, a fighter against apartheid, and a man who worked tirelessly for a better world until his final days.”
Born on September 16, 1939 in the Western Cape, Breytenbach began his literary journey as a member of the Sestigers, a group of Afrikaans poets and writers who sought to use their language as a tool for artistic expression while condemning the apartheid regime.
Despite the language’s association with the oppressive government, Breytenbach remained committed to its literary beauty, although he distanced himself from the political identity tied to Afrikaans.
In 1960, Breytenbach left South Africa and went into self-imposed exile in Europe. Settling in Paris, he met and married his Vietnamese wife, Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien.
The couple could not live together in South Africa due to apartheid laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
A Life Marked by Resistance and Imprisonment
In 1975, Breytenbach secretly returned to South Africa to support resistance groups. He was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison for “terrorism.”
During his imprisonment, he wrote extensively, producing one of his most powerful works, “The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist”, a vivid account of his experiences behind bars, including two years in solitary confinement.
Released in 1982 following intervention from French President François Mitterrand, Breytenbach became a French citizen.
Although he welcomed the fall of apartheid, he later criticised the post-apartheid African National Congress (ANC) government, accusing it of corruption and failing to deliver on its promises of equality and progress.
A Legacy in Literature and Art
Breytenbach’s career spanned over 50 published books, including poetry, prose, and autobiographical works, many of which have been translated into several languages. His visual art, often reflecting themes of confinement and freedom, earned international acclaim.
He was celebrated globally for his contributions to literature and human rights. Among his honours were France’s Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, the Zbigniew Herbert International Literary Award, and the Mahmoud Darwish Award for Creativity.
