The world of theatre is in mourning following the death of Athol Fugard, the internationally acclaimed South African playwright, director and actor, per africanews.com. Fugard, known for his fearless opposition to apartheid through his work, passed away at his home on Sunday after a long illness. He was 92.
Renowned for groundbreaking plays like Master Harold and the Boys and Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, Fugard’s work became a powerful voice against South Africa’s white-minority rule. His deeply personal storytelling captured the struggles of Black South Africans under apartheid, earning him both international praise and scrutiny from the government.
South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, paid tribute to Fugard, calling him “the moral conscience of a generation” and lauding his courage in speaking out when many others remained silent. The government confirmed his passing, describing him as “one of its greatest literary and theatrical icons.”
Born in 1932 in the Eastern Cape, Fugard’s journey into activism began while working as a court clerk in Johannesburg, where he witnessed firsthand the injustices of apartheid. His commitment to exposing these injustices saw him produce more than 30 plays over seven decades, with six making it to Broadway. His defiance, however, came at a cost—his passport was revoked for four years, and his family endured constant surveillance.
Fugard’s impact extended beyond theatre. His 1961 novel Tsotsi inspired the Oscar-winning film of the same name, and in 2011, he was honoured with a Tony Award for lifetime achievement.
- Featured image: Athol Fugard on the set of The Train Driver at Hampstead theatre in 2010/Tristram Kenton/The Guardian
