Breyten Breytenbach, the renowned anti-apartheid writer and activist, has passed away at the age of 85, according to his family. The dissident poet, novelist, and painter died peacefully in his sleep in Paris, with his wife Yolande by his side.
Breytenbach was widely respected for his sharp intellect and tireless opposition to apartheid, continuing to fight for a better world throughout his life. His family described him as “an immense artist” and a dedicated militant against apartheid.
His work and activism earned him admiration internationally, with the British satirical puppet show Spitting Image once referring to him as “the only nice South African” during the height of apartheid.
Jack Lang, former French education minister, paid tribute to Breytenbach on X, describing him as “a rebel with a tender heart” who was involved in every struggle for human rights.
Breytenbach was born on September 16, 1939, in the Western Cape to a family of five. Although he spent much of his life abroad, he always remained connected to his South African heritage. He studied at the University of Cape Town and became part of a group of Afrikaans poets and writers known as the Sestigers, who sought to celebrate the beauty of the Afrikaans language while also critiquing the racist apartheid regime.
Afrikaans, a language that evolved among white settlers, derives its name from the Dutch word for African.
During apartheid, as Afrikaners held power, the Afrikaans language became increasingly linked with the oppressive regime. In a 1970s interview, Breytenbach expressed his complex feelings about the language, stating, “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 left South Africa and entered self-imposed exile, mostly living in Europe. Despite being away from his home country, he remained a vocal critic of the apartheid system. He worked in London for a period before settling in France, where he met his wife, Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien, a Vietnamese woman.
Breytenbach attempted to return to South Africa in the 1960s with his wife, but her visa was denied because of her race. At the time, interracial marriages were illegal in South Africa.
In 1975, at the peak of his literary fame, Breytenbach made a secret return to South Africa, where he was arrested for attempting to support resistance groups. He was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of terrorism, but continued to write poetry during his incarceration.
French President François Mitterrand played a key role in securing Breytenbach’s release in 1982, after which he became a French citizen.
Breytenbach’s time in prison led to one of his most influential works, The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist. The novel offers a vivid and harrowing account of his seven years in prison, two of which he spent in solitary confinement.
Following the end of apartheid, Breytenbach became an outspoken critic of Nelson Mandela’s government, criticizing the African National Congress (ANC) for what he saw as its transformation into a “corrupt organisation.”
His activism extended beyond South Africa. In 2002, he penned an open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, questioning Israel’s actions in the ongoing conflict with Palestinians. He wrote, “Why should we look the other way when it is Israel committing crimes? A viable state cannot be built on the expulsion of another people who have as much claim to that territory as you have.”
Throughout his life, Breytenbach published over 50 books, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. He was also known for his surreal paintings, often portraying humans and animals in captivity.
In recognition of his artistic contributions, he was awarded the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, France’s highest cultural honor.
Breytenbach is survived by his wife Yolande, daughter Daphnée, and two grandsons.
