South Africa mourns Poet Laureate Prof Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile
South Africa’s National Poet Laureate, Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile, died at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg at 79 years on 3 January 2018.
Prof Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile is one of South Africa’s most widely published and internationally acclaimed authors and has lectured at several universities in Africa and the United States. In 2008 he was awarded with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver.
Prof Kgositsile was a prominent member of the ANC and lived in exile in the United States and Tanzania between 1960 and 1970. Born in 1938 in Johannesburg, Kgositsile developed a keen interest in literature in the 1950’s. His teacher Mr Sims at Matibane High School read his assignments and advised him to take up a professional career in writing.
Watch: During #NationalBookWeek in 2011, while he was a Special Advisor to the then Minister of @ArtsCultureSA, Prof Keorapetsi "Bra Willie" Kgositsile revealed the title of the book that influenced him the most in high school. pic.twitter.com/cSoe24Tqq9
— Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) January 3, 2018
In the 60s and 70s he studied at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania University, University of New Hampshire and Columbia University in the USA. He published his first volumes of poetry, including Spirits Unchained and My Name Is Afrika. He also founded the Black Arts Theatre in Harlem and became well known for his readings in New York City jazz clubs.
He was the most humble Ministerial Advisor that I served, a National Poet Laureate, a living library, Arts, Culture and Heritage Expert of note. His spirit and work in the ARTS lives on. RIP Prof Keorapetse Kgositsile. #RIPKgositsile #RIPKeorapetseKgositsile pic.twitter.com/QodD8iUY0C
— Seaparo Phala (@Seaparop) January 3, 2018
He returned to South Africa in 1990. The Department of Arts and Culture named him Poet Laureate in 2006. In this role, he has been involved in numerous initiatives related to the arts and literacy. He recently appeared at the Abantu Book Festival in Soweto.
Read the statement by The Department of Arts and Culture:
Media Release: Minister @NathiMthethwaSA Pays Tribute to Prof Keorapetse “Bra Willie" Kgositsile pic.twitter.com/UFpqhK3TgS
— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) January 3, 2018
#RIPBraWillie #RIPKeorapetseKgositsile #RIPKgositsile #RIPProf #KeorapetseKgositsile Bra Willie @JonasGwangwa pic.twitter.com/WEhhh6x6C5
— Makhema Ofhani (@khemipress) January 3, 2018
