Mandela Foundation pays tribute to Brutus

The Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) has expressed its condolences at the death of anti-apartheid activist and poet Dennis Brutus.

"On behalf of our Founder, Chairperson and Board of Trustees, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Professor Dennis Brutus who passed away yesterday," NMF Chairperson Prof GJ Gerwel said in a statement on Sunday.

"His contribution to the struggle against apartheid and his efforts to bring about social justice in the world are appreciated and will be remembered for many years to come," Gerwel said.

Brutus, 85, died from prostate cancer in his sleep at his home in Cape Town on Saturday, his son Anthony told reporters on Sunday.

He had been incarcerated in the cell next to that of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island from 1964 to 1965 for anti-apartheid activities.

He was later instrumental in the banning of South Africa from the Olympic Movement from 1970 to 1992.

Brutus poetry was widely read and he regularly taught as visiting professor at universities around the world.

He is survived by his wife, May, eight children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. - Sapa