President Cyril Ramaphosa mourns passing of author-journalist Hugh Lewin

17 Jan 2019

President Cyril Ramaphosa sends heartfelt condolences on the passing of acclaimed author, journalist and anti-apartheid activist who passed away at his home at the age of 79 on Wednesday 16 January 2019.

Mr Lewin worked as a journalist at the Natal Witness, Drum Magazine and the Golden City Post.

He later became Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in Johannesburg and served as a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission committee on human rights violations in Gauteng.

As an author, he won the 2003, Olive Schreiner Prize for his prison memoir, “Bandiet Out of Jail” and in 2012 won the Alan Paton Award for another personal memoir, “Stones Against the Mirror”.

Under apartheid, Mr Lewin served a full prison sentence for sabotage and left South Africa on a “permanent exit permit” in 1971 to live in exile in the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.

President Ramaphosa has noted: “We have lost an incredible writer and a valiant soldier who fought fearlessly for human rights and the justice and freedom that are the hallmarks of our democracy.

“His fighting spirit and humanity will forever be remembered by those he touched through his life, actions and also his written words. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and relatives. May his soul rest in peace.”

Statement issued by The Presidency, 18 January 2019