Mandela Foundation, Parliament pay tribute to Kgositsile
IT WAS with heavy hearts that the trustees and staff of the Nelson Mandela Foundation heard yesterday of the passing of Ntate Keorapetse William Kgositsile.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and comrades at this most difficult time.
His many accomplishments as an activist, author and intellectual are recorded indelibly in South Africa’s public record.
He was a trusted presence in almost every process designed by progressive formations in our country post-1990 to imagine the “post-apartheid”.
The foundation worked with him on a number of projects. We will remember him as much for his analyses as for his humour and his willingness to hold up a mirror, rather than argue for a particular position. “We will miss him,” said foundation chief executive Sello Hatang.
“His phone call was the first one I received after the announcement of my appointment back in 2013. His words of encouragement and wisdom then have stayed with me.”
We have lost a friend. South Africa has lost a patriot.
Hamba kahle, Bra Willie. Lunga Nene Nelson Mandela Foundation THE Parliament of South Africa joins the nation and the international community in mourning the passing of Struggle stalwart and national poet laureate, Professor Keorapetse William Kgositsile.
Kgositsile, who was born in 1938 in Johannesburg, distinguished himself as an academic, a poet par excellence and a champion for freedom and social justice throughout his life in South Africa, while in exile in many countries of the world and on his return home.
Through his sharp and progressive pen he contributed to cutting open the oppressive blanket of the apartheid system to keep the liberation spirit burning in the country and abroad.
For this contribution, the world, the African continent and our nation honoured him with numerous literary awards.
These included the Order of Ikhamanga Silver he received in 2008 for “excellent achievements in the field of literature and using these exceptional talents to expose the evils of the system of apartheid to the world”.
The remarkable legacy of Bra Willie, as he was affectionately known, cannot die but will live on to continue to inspire many to use culture to advance the development of the people of South Africa.
Parliament sends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. Moloto Mothapo Parliament Spokesperson