Ramaphosa mourns loss of Hugh Lewin

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa sends his heartfelt condolences on the passing of acclaimed author, journalist and anti-apartheid activist Hugh Lewin, who passed away at his home at the age of 79 on Wednesday, January 16.

Mr Lewin worked as a journalist at publications that included the Natal Witness, Drum Magazine and the Golden City Post.

He later became Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in Johannesburg and served as a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission committee on human rights violations in Gauteng.

As an author, he won the 2003 Olive Schreiner Prize for his prison memoir Bandiet Out of Jail and in 2012 won the Alan Paton Award for another personal memoir, Stones Against the Mirror.

Under apartheid, Mr Lewin served a prison sentence for sabotage and left South Africa on a “permanent exit permit” in 1971 to live in exile in the UK and Zimbabwe.

President Ramaphosa has noted: “We have lost an incredible writer and a valiant soldier who fought fearlessly for human rights and the justice and freedom that are the hallmarks of our democracy.

“His fighting spirit and humanity will forever be remembered by those he touched through his life, his actions and also his written words.

“We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and relatives. May his soul rest in peace.”