The South African film and theatre community is in mourning following the death of award-winning writer, director, and playwright Athol Fugard. The acclaimed artist passed away at his Stellenbosch home in the Western Cape yesterday, leaving behind an indelible mark on the country’s cultural landscape.
Fugard, renowned for his powerful works such as No Good Friday, Master Harold and the Boys, The Blood Knot, and Sizwe Bansi is Dead, was a pivotal figure in South African theatre. His 1980 novel Tsotsi, which was adapted into a film by director Gavin Hood, won an Academy Award in 2005, further cementing his legacy on the global stage.
In a heartfelt tribute, President Cyril Ramaphosa described Fugard as “an extraordinary storyteller in extraordinary times” and the “moral conscience of a generation.” The President went on to praise Fugard for his courage to speak out against injustice, noting that he was “an outlier amongst the millions of white South Africans who blithely turned a blind eye to the injustices being perpetrated in their name.” Fugard’s willingness to collaborate with black actors during apartheid, when such partnerships were forbidden, set him apart as a trailblazer in the arts.
South African actors and directors who worked with Fugard have also expressed their grief at his passing. Dr. John Kani, a close friend, expressed his sorrow: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Athol Fugard. May his soul rest in eternal peace.” Director James Ngcobo, who worked on Nongogo and Sizwe Bansi is Dead, hailed Fugard’s work as timeless and called for the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to honor his contributions in the future.
Athol Fugard’s remarkable career has left a lasting legacy on the South African theatre scene and beyond, and his work will continue to inspire generations to come.
