Tributes have been pouring in from across the world for Athol Fugard, the legendary South African playwright, novelist, actor, and director, who passed away at the age of 92.
Celebrated for his fearless storytelling and his unrelenting commitment to social justice, Fugard’s impact on theatre and literature remains profound.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed Fugard as “an extraordinary storyteller in extraordinary times” and “the moral conscience of a generation.”
He praised Fugard for his courage in exposing the harsh realities of apartheid when many of his white compatriots chose silence.
Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, described him as a “fearless storyteller” who gave a voice to those silenced by oppression, adding, “We were cursed with apartheid but blessed with great artists who shone a light on its impact and helped to guide us out of it.”
Longtime friend and fellow playwright Dr. John Kani paid a deeply personal tribute, recalling their collaboration alongside Winston Ntshona in creating seminal works such as Sizwe Banzi is Dead and The Island.
He spoke of their struggles under apartheid, hounded by security police, yet remaining steadfast in their mission to tell the stories of Black South Africans.
“Athol was my brother and my comrade in the struggle for the liberation of our country—and my friend for life. No one can tell the story of protest theatre without mentioning the names of Athol Fugard, Winston Ntshona, and myself,” Kani said.
Daniel Galloway, former managing director of The Fugard Theatre, remembered him as a gentle yet determined professional who treated everyone with respect.
“Athol was deeply supportive of the work we undertook at the beautiful theatre in Cape Town that bore his name. He was always the first to call to commiserate or congratulate. He was sincerely present and available and always ready to listen,” Galloway said.
Award-winning film producer Anant Singh, who collaborated with Fugard on the film adaptation of The Road to Mecca, described him as a role model who used theatre as a weapon against apartheid.
“I was inspired by Athol when I started in the film industry in the 1980s, as he was a role model through his work in protest theatre. As a long-time admirer of his, I was thrilled to collaborate with him on the film adaptation of ‘The Road to Mecca’, in which he also starred alongside Yvonne Bryceland and Academy Award winner, Kathy Bates,” he said.
Fugard’s influence stretched far beyond the borders of South Africa with his plays, including The Blood Knot, ‘Master Harold’… and the Boys, and Boesman and Lena, performed worldwide.
His impact was felt in the fight against apartheid and in shaping the future of South African theatre. Even after apartheid’s fall, his work continued to address themes of justice, humanity, and reconciliation.
His contributions were widely recognised, earning him numerous accolades, including the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement and South Africa’s Order of Ikhamanga in Silver.
He spent years mentoring the next generation of theatremakers, teaching at the University of California, San Diego, and supporting new productions at The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town.
Fugard is survived by his wife, Paula Fourie, their two young children, a daughter from his previous marriage, and a grandson. His wife described his passing as “unreal” but said his legacy would live on through his work.
His contributions to theatre and the fight against apartheid remain immeasurable. His words and stories will continue to inspire generations to come.
