Anti-Apartheid Activist and Author Breyten Breytenbach Dies in Paris Aged 85
Breyten Breytenbach, the legendary South African poet, author, painter, and anti-apartheid activist, passed away peacefully in Paris on Sunday at the age of 85. The news of his death was confirmed by his daughter, Daphnee Breytenbach, in an emotional Instagram post.
Breytenbach left South Africa in the 1960s, settling in Paris where he became a prominent voice against apartheid. Over his prolific career, Breytenbach authored nearly 50 works, including the acclaimed The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist and countless volumes of poetry, primarily written in Afrikaans.
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Breyten Breytenbach Dies in Paris Aged 85
Daphnee described her father as an “immense artist” and a relentless fighter for a better world.
“Immense artist, militant against apartheid, he fought for a better world until the end. 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,” she wrote, sharing a touching photograph of the two of them smiling together.
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Imprisoned for His Beliefs
Breytenbach’s commitment to justice came at a personal cost. He spent seven years imprisoned in South Africa, including two years in solitary confinement, for his activism. His eventual release in 1982 was secured with the help of former French President François Mitterrand, after which Breytenbach became a French citizen.
Breytenbach’s extraordinary contributions to literature and human rights earned him prestigious accolades, including France’s Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur et Commandeur des Arts et Lettres, the nation’s highest cultural honour.
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Tributes Pour in As Breyten Breytenbach Passes Away
Former French Culture Minister Jack Lang paid tribute to his longtime friend on social media, calling him a “tender-hearted rebel” whose unwavering fight for human rights and opposition to apartheid was “exemplary and decisive.”
“A tender-hearted rebel, he was involved in all struggles for human rights. His ardent commitment to those who suffer and his fight against apartheid was exemplary and decisive,” he posted.
Born in 1939 in the small town of Bonnievale in South Africa’s Western Cape, Breytenbach’s ties to his homeland remained strong despite his years abroad. He regularly visited South Africa.
“His words, his paintings, his imagination, his resilience will continue to guide us,” his daughter said.