Sadness at death of poet, icon ‘Bra Willie’
THE ANC in Gauteng is mourning the death of South Africa’s poet laureate, Professor Keorapetse Kgositsile, saying it was deeply saddened.
He had been an “internationalist par excellence, an ANC activist, leader, veteran and stalwart of the liberation struggle. We mourn his passing on and send our condolences to his family and all his loved ones.”
Kgositsile, affectionately known as Bra Willie, died at Milpark Park Hospital yesterday following a short illness.
“He was a literary giant, leading intellectual and academic, progressive cultural activist, freedom fighter and one of the most internationally acclaimed and widely published South African poets, including being the recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga. He has also lectured at universities on the African continent and the US,” said Gauteng ANC secretary Hope Papo.
At the time of his death, he was working in the office of ANC Gauteng provincial chairperson Paul Mashatile, elected ANC treasurer-general last month. He had been providing advisory and research services.
“He departs the world of the living at a time when the ANC has just come out of its successful 54th national conference.
“We were looking forward to the invaluable input of stalwarts and veterans like him in helping to renew and strengthen the ANC towards the achievement of radical socio-economic transformation in our lifetime.
“As the ANC prepares to celebrate its 106th birthday on January 8, we will continue to be inspired by his immense contribution and commitment to the cause of freedom, development and building a better Africa and world,” said Papo.
The Abantu Book Festival tweeted: “It is with great sadness that we have learnt of Prof Keorapetse Kgositsile’s passing.
“He was with us just the other day at the Abantu Book Festival, and his event – which was his last ever – was one of those the audience wished would never end.”