Legendary activist and author Ronnie Govender has passed away. Image via Facebook: Ronnie Govender.
RIP Ronnie Govender: Renowned activist and playwright has died
Legendary South African author, activist and playwright Ronnie Govender passed away on Thursday at the age of 85.
Legendary activist and author Ronnie Govender has passed away. Image via Facebook: Ronnie Govender.
Award-winning playwright, director and activist Ronnie Govender passed away on Thursday, 29 April due to age related illnesses.
FUNERAL TO BE HELD IN CAPE TOWN
The activist was known as a pioneer of Indian South African theatre in the country. He took his last breath at the age of 85 and his funeral will be held at his home in the city of Cape Town.
“We were dancing with him and having good conversations until very recently,” said Parusha Naidoo, granddaughter of Ronnie Govender according to IOL.
ABOUT THE LIFE OF RONNIE GOVENDER
Ronnie Govender grew up in Cato Manor, KwaZulu-Natal. He spent a year at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and then attended the Springfield Training College for teachers in Asherville, Durban.
He started his career by doing part time sports writing. His sports column in the New Age newspaper allowed him to pay for university.
“His brother was instrumental in helping him to get a job with the New Age as a sports columnist. This helped him to pay his way through university. At UCT he was elected treasurer of the Students Democratic Association that was formed to protest against the exclusion of African students from outside South Africa attending universities here,” according to SA History.
A JOURNALIST AND A WRITER
The veteran writer later tackled racism in his writing catching the attention of many. His writing grew into playwriting as he then worked in theatre.
“In 1991 Govender was appointed Marketing Manager of the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, and two years later appointed Director of Durban’s Playhouse Theatre. In 2000 Govender was awarded a Medal by the English Academy of South Africa for his contribution to English literature,” according to SA History.
His work includes books Black Chin White Chin, Song of the Atman, At the Edge and Other Cato Manor Stories which was a compilation of tales from his childhood growing up in the community of Cato Manor. This was used as a school set book and later turned into a one woman play by Imbewu actress Jailoshini Naidoo.
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR RONNIE GOVENDER
Tributes from local celebrities and fans poured in for “Uncle Ronnie” as he was affectionately known.
“RIP Ronnie Govender. You have been a huge influence on my life both on and off stage. Your early plays instilled in me a love for theatre and performance. We studied you and your works in university,” wrote Keeping Up With The Kandasamys actor Koobeshen Naidoo in a facebook post.
“Ronnie Govender was a playwright genius, enthralling audiences, fighting injustice and winning awards. He used his talent, skill and intellect to help change our world for the better,” wrote Lotus FM talk show host Alan Khan in a Facebook post.
