Renowned South African poet, novelist, painter and activist Breyten Breytenbach has died.

According to a Facebook post on Breytenbach Sentrum, his family announced his passing in a statement, stating that he passed away earlier today in Paris, aged 85, with his wife at his side.

According to the statement, Breytenbach’s work shaped literature and the arts both locally and abroad. Known for his masterful literary creations such as The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist and A Season in Paradise, he fearlessly addressed themes of exile, identity and justice.

“A vocal opponent of apartheid, Breytenbach joined Okhela, a separate ideological wing of the ANC in exile, and was imprisoned upon his clandestine return to South Africa in 1975. Despite this, his artistic and literary contributions flourished, cementing his place as one of South Africa’s most courageous and visionary figures,” the statement reads.

Born in Bonnievale, Western Cape, in 1939, Breytenbach was one of five siblings.

“Interestingly, since Breytenbach’s 80th birthday, he had been exploring denouement towards death, and expressing his uncomfortable discoveries through his art and writings. In this way he had the courage to give form to the forever formlessness from which we come, and to which we shall surely return.”

Breytenbach is survived by his wife, Yolande, and daughter Daphnée and two grandsons.

“The family appreciates the support and condolences received during this difficult time and requests privacy as they finalise funeral arrangements, details of which will be shared in due course.”

Deeply sorry to hear of the death in France of the poet and artist #BreytenBreytenbach. A powerful fighter against apartheid in his native South Africa, where he served 7 years’ jail in 1977. A towering intellect, wonderfully talented. Huge loss to SA. https://t.co/jZNsHvmHG0

— John Simpson (@JohnSimpsonNews) November 24, 2024

Breyten Breytenbach, a great of Afrikaans literature, died in Paris last night. Afrikaans, but a global icon. pic.twitter.com/8D0gVFFZgt

— Emile Joubert (@emilejoubert) November 24, 2024

Rest in Peace, Breyten Breytenbach

“en nou om te slaap
te slaap te slaap in slaap
in te slaap verplaas na ruimtes
van sterwe en weer te lewe
wanneer vriende se beurtsang
in die riete langs die oewer bewend
opklink en op reis te gaan na die liefde”…

— Jako Olivier (@jakoli4) November 24, 2024