Iconic poet and advocate for justice Dr Diana Ferrus dies at 72

Poet, author and cultural icon Dr Diana Ferrus has died at the age of 72.

In a statement released on Friday, her family confirmed her death with “profound sadness and heavy hearts”.

The Ferrus family said her death is deeply felt by relatives, friends, colleagues and the many communities touched by her work, courage and commitment to justice, dignity and humanity.

“Dr Ferrus was more than a public figure — she was a beloved family member, mentor, and guiding light,” stated Laniëlle Hartzenberg, niece and family spokesperson, on behalf of the Ferrus family. “Her legacy will continue to live on through her work, her voice, and the countless people she inspired across generations and borders.”

The family has asked the public and media to respect their privacy during this time of grief, adding that details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared in due course.

Ferrus, widely revered as the “people’s poet”, was internationally acclaimed for her role in restoring dignity to historically silenced voices.

Her most famous work, titled I’ve Come to Take You Home was written in honour of Sarah Baartman and became a defining moment in South Africa’s post-apartheid cultural history.

The poem was read aloud in the French Senate in 2002, an act that directly influenced the Senate’s decision to repatriate Baartman’s remains from France to South Africa.

Throughout her career, Ferrus’ writing centred on themes of memory, womanhood, dispossession, justice and healing, cementing her status as one of the country’s most important literary and cultural figures.

In recognition of her profound contribution to literature and heritage, Stellenbosch University awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2022, acknowledging an influence that extended far beyond the written word.

The Ferrus family expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received, thanking the public for the prayers, messages and compassion shown during this deeply difficult time.

IOL