Renowned Anti-Apartheid Writer Breyten Breytenbach Passes Away at 85
Breyten Breytenbach, a celebrated South African anti-apartheid writer, poet, and activist, has died at the age of 85. His family announced that he passed away peacefully in his sleep in Paris, with his wife Yolande by his side.
In a statement, his family described him as “an immense artist and a militant against apartheid who fought for a better world until the end.” Breytenbach’s intellect and activism earned him global recognition, even inspiring the British satirical puppet show Spitting Image to dub him “the only nice South African” during the height of apartheid.
Jack Lang, France’s former education minister, paid tribute to Breytenbach on social media, calling him “a rebel with a tender heart” who was deeply involved in the fight for human rights.
A Life Rooted in Activism and Art
Born on September 16, 1939, in the Western Cape, Breytenbach grew up in a family of five. After attending the University of Cape Town, he became part of the Sestigers, a group of Afrikaans poets and writers who used their art to challenge apartheid and celebrate the beauty of the Afrikaans language.
Although Afrikaans was closely associated with the apartheid regime, Breytenbach rejected its political ties, once telling The New York Times: “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.”
In 1960, Breytenbach went into self-imposed exile in Europe, eventually settling in France. There, he met his Vietnamese wife, Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien. However, apartheid-era laws prohibiting interracial marriage kept Yolande from entering South Africa, further fueling Breytenbach’s disdain for the regime.
A Voice That Could Not Be Silenced
In 1975, Breytenbach clandestinely returned to South Africa to support resistance groups but was arrested and charged with terrorism. Sentenced to seven years in prison, including two years in solitary confinement, he continued to write, producing some of his most profound works.
His release in 1982 was secured with help from then-French President François Mitterrand, and Breytenbach later became a French citizen. His novel, The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist, chronicled his harrowing prison experiences and became one of his most acclaimed works.
Beyond Apartheid
After apartheid ended, Breytenbach remained a critical voice, turning his attention to the new South African government. He expressed disillusionment with the African National Congress (ANC), describing it as a “corrupt organization.”
Breytenbach’s activism extended globally. In 2002, he penned an open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, condemning the treatment of Palestinians and advocating for justice and equality.
A Lasting Legacy
Throughout his lifetime, Breytenbach published over 50 books, including poetry, novels, and essays, many of which were translated into multiple languages. His surreal paintings, often depicting themes of captivity, added another dimension to his artistic legacy.
In recognition of his contributions, France awarded him the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, its highest cultural honor.
Breytenbach is survived by his wife, Yolande, his daughter Daphnée, and two grandsons.
His passing marks the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to art, activism, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
